Portage College has loaned five fully equipped welding bays to Career and Technology Studies (CTS) students of Bonnyville Community High School (BCHS) free of charge.
“The College is pleased to be involved in training the next generation of skilled trades people. This donation means that students will have access to equipment and have a greater opportunity to explore careers in trades”, said Reuel Thomas, Dean of Trades and Technology at Portage College.
The equipment was sold by the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre (C2) to Portage. This affordable purchase made the donation to BCHS possible.
Darren Trembecky, Portage College Trades and Technology Coordinator, approached BCHS to offer the equipment at no cost while students attend programing at the C2 during renovations at the High School. Trembecky said, “This partnership will provide opportunities to students to further their pursuit in a welding career as well as provide opportunities for BCHS staff Professional Development training on safe equipment use and content expertise.”
Along with the equipment, Corey Baker, Principal of BCHS and Jody Serner, Shop Teacher at BCHS of Northern Lights School Division, will have access to twelve mobile mechanics carts from the school division, as well as the schools’ 3-D printers for CTS programming to ensure that students have a range of opportunities.
“Words cannot express our gratitude to Portage College,” said Corey Baker. “Giving our students the opportunity to explore welding with their state of the art equipment is truly a fabulous experience and the timing could not be better as BCHS is undergoing their Modernization.”
Portage aims to ensure that students have the opportunity to successfully pursue their career goals with partnerships like this one.
Interested in partnerships with our program areas? Call Jaime Davies at 780-623-6671.