The CWB Foundation says it provided $4.1 million to welding and joining education and industry programs during its 2025-26 fiscal year as it worked with partners to develop pathways into Canada's skilled trades workforce.
The foundation's annual report highlights investments in student bursaries, classroom improvements, equipment and programs aimed at career awareness, safety, technical training and skills development.
Partnerships drive investment
The CWB Foundation said partnerships with education, industry, labour, government and communities helped extend the reach of its investments during the fiscal year. For every $1 invested by the foundation, it said $4.56 in total impact was generated with support from partners in education, government and industry.
"Strong skilled trades pathways depend on more than recruitment. Learners need access to quality welding education, modern and safe training environments, industry-aligned skills, and clear connections to employment," said Susan Crowley, executive director of the CWB Foundation. "Through partnerships with education, industry, government and communities, we're helping create opportunities for Canadians to discover welding careers, develop the skills they need and contribute to the workforce needs of critical sectors across the country."
The foundation's report, titled Leveraging Partnerships to Build Stronger Pathways, outlines programs intended to connect students and other participants with welding education, technical skills and employment opportunities.
Among the activities during the fiscal year, 510 youth participated in Mind Over Metal and Arx and Sparx welding camps. More than 9,800 people also explored welding through simulator experiences at career fairs and other events.
Training and equipment
The foundation said 220 educators and career counsellors participated in training designed to strengthen technical welding knowledge and industry-relevant instruction. Another 325 participants took part in pre-employment programming, resulting in 177 CSA W47.1 welder qualifications through pre-employment and upskilling initiatives.
Equipment and safety were also areas of investment. The foundation provided 384 personal protective equipment kits to 42 Canadian secondary schools, giving 4,119 students access to upgraded protective equipment.
Schools also sought additional support for welding and technical education facilities. The foundation said 57 schools requested a combined $1.64 million in equipment and technology advancement support to improve their training spaces.
The report also highlights a partnership program in Durham, Ont., where 13 high school students received apprenticeship offers after completing the program. Collectively, the students earned 28 CWB welder qualifications.
Focus on skilled trades pathways
The foundation said welding and joining skills can provide entry points into multiple Red Seal trades and are used in sectors including construction, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transportation and advanced technologies.
It said it plans to continue working with education, industry, government and community partners to support pathways that move from career awareness and education through skills development and qualification to employment.
The CWB Foundation is a national charitable organization established by the Canadian Welding Bureau that works with industry, education, government and communities on welding and materials-joining education and skilled-trades workforce development.
The organization says its programs support career awareness, skills development and access to training opportunities, with the goal of helping address skilled labour shortages and supporting employers and industries across Canada.