Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The CWB Welding Foundation has launched a new national funding program aimed at helping secondary schools upgrade outdated welding equipment and adopt emerging technologies as the demand for skilled trades workers continues to rise.
The Equipment and Technology Advancement Program expands the long-running Capital Equipment and Consumables Grant, offering more funding, hands-on training support and stronger ties between schools and industry. The foundation says the expanded program is designed to give students access to industry-standard tools and real-world learning experiences, regardless of their school’s resources.
Despite the critical role welding plays in construction, a recent CWB Foundation survey found that more than 40 per cent of secondary school welding programs need equipment upgrades, and nearly half struggle to secure enough consumables to keep classes running.
“With welding technology evolving quickly, our program is built to grow alongside it,” executive director Susan Crowley said in a statement. “By equipping classrooms with the right tools and training, we’re helping students build real-world skills and confidence that prepare them for meaningful careers in Canada’s skilled trades.”
The program is divided into three streams — the Welding Essentials Grant, Technology Innovation Grant and Consumables Notice Network — with the goal of improving access to equipment, modernizing curriculum and strengthening school-industry partnerships. Funding can be used for equipment replacement, integrating robotics or simulation technology, securing donated consumables and accessing professional guidance from the foundation’s technical education specialists.
The foundation says the program is designed to reduce disparities between schools, particularly those in remote or under-resourced communities, while helping educators stay aligned with industry practices.
Applications for the 2025–26 intake are now open. Educators must first submit an assessment application, which is reviewed by a technical education specialist who provides tailored recommendations. Funding is limited and not guaranteed, and the deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.
Since 2018, the foundation has invested $6.1 million in secondary school welding supports, along with an additional $11.7 million in co-investments from industry and education partners. Even so, it says current funding only meets about 30 per cent of school requests, and is urging employers in welding-reliant sectors — including fabrication, construction and advanced manufacturing — to contribute equipment, consumables or financial support.
More information is available through the CWB Foundation’s website.
