Certification Can Be Your "Bridge to the Future"
GRB College of Welding Puts Skills Training
First
Why is skills training so important?
True or false?
Anyone can weld - all you’ve got to be able to do is stick two pieces
of metal together.
Absolutely false.
The above statement is one of the biggest misconceptions about welding
that there is. Would you feel safe driving a car down the highway
that’s frame was welded by an unqualified welder? Or, living a half
mile away from a live pipeline with natural gas running through it
and knowing that the pressurized pipeline was welded by inexperienced
welders that didn’t possess industry qualifications? Safety standards
demand that welders become and remain qualified. What many people
don’t realize is that the quality of a weld is often tested for strength,
porosity, cold lap, lack of fusion, slag inclusions and various other
weldment failures. This testing is carried out by specialized companies
that use a variety of testing methods including X-ray and tensile,
hardness or ductility testing. Without proper skills training, an
untrained welder would not be able to have their work pass these tests.
Welding is a learned skill. As well as several different welding processes
to learn, each metal type such as aluminum or stainless steel requires
a different welding technique. Then there is the material and the
different shapes of material to be welded. Welding on plate is obviously
quite different than welding on pipe. And welding a 2” diameter pipe
is much different than welding a pipe that is 24” in diameter.
So, how does one stay current and up-to-date with all of these different
processes? By continually learning and/or upgrading existing skills.
Welding is an infinite learning experience. The technology of the
material and filler metals is always changing, thus the techniques
used for welding them must always be refined as well. As in any other
occupation, one must never stop learning. When you stop learning you
become limited as to what you are able to do. To quote Bernie Lofchick,
author, General Manager of Worldwide Distributors and popular Canadian
motivational speaker -
“When you quit getting better, you’ll soon stop being good”
Following article by Brent Kostyniuk
Worksite New Service
It is no secret that there is a shortage of skilled
trades people in Alberta. With expansion in the oil field looming
large, qualified welders will be particularly in demand. However,
following the traditional apprenticeship route can be lengthy and
frustrating.
Gerald Bellehumeur, owner of GRB College Of Welding, says the great
advantage of a private technical school is that it is not limited
by the restrictions of the apprenticeship training system. At GRB
College of Welding, a full range of courses from entrance level to
journeyman upgrading are available, ready to be custom tailored to
the student's needs. "We don't take in a set number of students
at a particular time. For example, we have an intake to our pre-employment
program every three weeks." Nor does GRB Welding follow traditional
school hours. For those who are currently employed, but would like
to upgrade their skills, the school offers evening instruction.
The philosophy of offering the student what he actually needs, comes
largely as a result of Gerald Bellehumeur's two decades of experience
in the industry. Because much of a welder's work is seasonal, or on
short notice, students can enroll for courses with as little as three
days notice. The ethic of providing a real service even extends to
the language; at GRB College trainees are referred to as clients -
not students. All training is done on a one to one basis. Like Gerald
Bellehumeur, all the instructors have industry experience, which they
pass on to the clients. Besides the mechanics of welding, the art
is also taught. Emphasis is put on body control; body position and
stretching exercises help the client reach the highest level of skill.
"When you are working with sour gas, you must have much higher
welding capabilities," explains Gerald Bellehumeur. "Every
joint has to be x-ray quality, right from the start. If the first
on is not up to standard, you won't last the day."
In operation since 1983, GRB College of Welding remains the only private
welding school in Western Canada. While it does offer apprenticeship
training, Gerald Bellehumeur says many people prefer a different path.
"The standard for first year apprentices is that they are just
glorified labourers. We have a pre-employment program which gives
them an advantage. With the training they receive here, they can get
into a shop and put their skills to work right away. It might be in
a trailer shop, where he can begin welding from day one, not sweeping
the floor." The pre-employment program lasts three months and
includes 300 hours on manual training, along with 96 hours of classroom
instruction. The client learns that basics of welding, cutting and
grinding. "With this, we can push him a bit further. His training
is a little ahead of an apprentice who has to work for at least one
year before taking the eight weeks of school. Of course, once employed
and practicing his/her trade, a graduate of the GRB Pre-employment
course may still need to get registered as an apprentice by an employer.
GRB Welding College offers the full spectrum of training. Courses
including "B" Pressure certification. This may simply involve
a couple of hours practice prior to challenging the test, or it could
mean a full 120 hour program. GRB Welding also provides training is
specialized welding including MIG, TIG, Aluminum and Titanium. Alberta
Boiler and Safety Association certification can also be renewed by
the certified welding examiner at GRB College of Welding. Finally,
courses are available for the home handyman or the hobbyist who wants
to gain some practical knowledge for private use.
Whatever your welding training requirements may be, GRB Welding College
really is "Your Bridge To The Future!"
WSN
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