Our story
September 26, 2024
8 min read

Mind Over Metal camp ignites welding wonder for Indigenous youth

Accent: w3eq7di5p2gs
Kenetic_right

At a glance

  • In July, Indigenous students got a hands-on introduction to welding through an OPG-sponsored welding camp in Peterborough.
  • The Mind Over Metal camp, organized by the CWB Foundation, welcomed 20 student participants, aged 12 to 17.
  • The event helped build valuable skills while opening young eyes to the skilled trades as a viable career path for the future.
A student gets hands-on with a welding demonstration at the Mind Over Metal camp.
A student gets hands-on with a welding demonstration at the Mind Over Metal camp.

This summer, 20 Indigenous students pulled on their protective gloves and donned helmets as they got a hands-on introduction to welding, an in-demand skilled trade.

It was all part of the CWB Foundation’s Mind Over Metal camp, sponsored by OPG through its Power for Change Project and hosted by St. Peter Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough.

An icon representing "Power".

OPG’s Power for Change Project aims to give back to Ontario and the communities where the company operates. The program supports OPG’s key strategic priorities, including its ESG commitments and Reconciliation Action Plan. Learn more.

Held from July 8 to 12, the engaging workshop provided an eye-opening look into the world of welding for students aged 12 to 17. Participants clad in protective gear got to try some real-world welding equipment to fuse parts and craft unique designs, while receiving guidance from qualified OPG instructors.

“This camp gave me a better idea of what welding is all about and whether it’s something I’d like to do career-wise. I really like working with my hands. It’s a cool skill to know,” said one of the student participants.

According to the CWB Foundation, the camp succeeded in encouraging Indigenous youth to consider welding as a career path. The national charitable organization reported 71% of participants said they would now consider enrolling in a welding or technology course.

This camp gave me a better idea of what welding is all about and whether it’s something I’d like to do career-wise. I really like working with my hands. It’s a cool skill to know.
Mind Over Metal participant

Like many skilled trades, welding is currently in high demand across the province as infrastructure projects, including energy, start to heat up. The skill is needed for a variety of applications, including in the manufacture of cars as well as components integral to power generation.

As OPG helps advance the energy transition and works to deliver large electricity projects, the need for skilled trades like welding will only continue to grow. These events and career fairs are helping to promote skilled trades as a viable career path for students to help build the labour pipeline needed to electrify life in one generation.

To view current opportunities at OPG and find out more about student internships and work terms, visit opg.com/careers.

Accent: kxmpwvs4518q
Kenetic_left

Subscribe and stay informed

Sign up to receive the latest news, project updates, and event information from OPG.

Lightbox: subscribe_cta