CWA Foundation to distribute $300,000 to BC welding programs

The Canadian Welding Association Foundation (CWA Foundation) is expanding its secondary school welding and education support programs in high schools across British Columbia thanks to a generous donation from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan.

The CWA Foundation will receive $300,000 over three years, commencing in 2016 and concluding in 2018, that will directly support welding at the grassroots level in British Columbia. High school districts in North Vancouver, Victoria, Sooke and Saanich will receive financial assistance for new welding equipment and teacher professional development.

“Providing students with a positive and safe welding experience at the high school level will help ensure the continuation of welding at the post-secondary level and then as a career choice,” said Deborah Mates, Executive Director of the CWA Foundation. “This generous donation from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan, will enhance welding programs at the high school level in British Columbia, with the hopes that these welding professionals will come right back to Seaspan to begin their welding journey.”

Innovation, leadership and world-class trades training are critical components of Seaspan’s vision of driving Canada’s marine industrial base on the West Coast, said Jonathan Whitworth, CEO – Seaspan.

“Seaspan is thrilled to honour four community and industry partners that are helping us develop and grow a shipbuilding and ship repair centre of excellence in British Columbia,” he said. “This commitment demonstrates an unwavering investment in attracting, training and retaining the labour force and expertise we need to deliver on our NSS commitments.”

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation’s charitable donations are among the organization’s largest direct donations of their kind in Canada.

“Giving people the tools they need to succeed in life is a primary goal of the Foundation and the partnership with Seaspan to promote access to state of the art training in the trades is directly aligned with the mission and goals of the Foundation,” said Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.