Apr. 10, 2017
As soon as the event started, sparks started flying and you could feel the electricity in the air at the fourth annual Welding Rodeo. The rodeo, organized by Keith Routhier, welding instructor at Bishop Grandin High School and Clifton van Boven, teacher at Lord Beaverbrook High School, took place on March 11, 2017 at the Boilermakers Lodge Local 146. Fabrication teachers and 30 students from the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District participated in this exciting event.
Participants from seven local high school fabrication programs were immediately on task working on the first of four challenges they would have to complete throughout the day. Each team had to plan accordingly and rely on their engineering, welding and fitting skills in order to complete the challenges. You can find more information at: http://weldingrodeo.weebly.com/
The rodeo was an excellent opportunity to promote and bring awareness to the programs available for students. It also gave a chance for all 30 participants to connect with others that share their interests. Being hosted at the Boilermakers Lodge and the presence of local industry stakeholders was a great opportunity to promote, bring awareness to, and show the students career opportunities that can be pursued after students have completed their high schools programs. Many students are passionate about furthering their knowledge and skills in metalworking and welding, and understand that there are great rewards for being able to do skilled, hands-on work. Teachers also had the opportunity to network with local industry which is a great way to help programs grow and expose students to different career options.
We want to congratulate the
Career and Technology Centre team on their victory at the rodeo. We hope they enjoy their prizes of cowboy hats and belt buckles.
Sincere thanks go to the following:
- Keith Routhier from Bishop Grandin for making the belt buckles,
- Travis Boyce for making the plaque,
- Ron Blazek for drafting the project plans,
- Carly van Boven Photography for taking the pictures of this year’s event and
- Shawn Ouellette and Rob James and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 146 for hosting this year’s event.
Events like the welding rodeo would not exist without the help and contribution of all the sponsors. We want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors that gave over $7,000 worth of prizes to the students. Sponsors included: Acklands Grainger, Apline Gas, The Alberta Teachers’ Association Career and Technology Education Council, ESAB, Foremost, KMS Tools, Lammle’s Western Wear, Lincoln Electric, Linde, Miller Electric Manufacturing Co., Oxygen Products Calgary Ltd., Pyramid Piping, Praxair, Princess Auto, and Watson Gloves.
We would also like to thank everyone else who contributed to make this event such a success.
