DCDSB Summer Welding Camps

Posted On Wednesday July 13, 2022
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Mr. Sorbilli working on welding project with student

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) summer Welding Camps are a continuation of an exciting partnership program that brought new welding facilities to four DCDSB secondary schools. This partnership brought together the Canadian Welding Foundation, Ontario Power Generation, UA Locals 46 and 401 and Black & McDonald. The camps are taught by Mr. Vince Sorbilli, a Technological Education teacher at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development have been supporting programs that give students the opportunity to learn and experience the many rewarding programs in the skilled trades. Programs such as the Specialist High Skills Major program (SHSM), the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and the Dual Credit program offer high school students the opportunity to develop awareness and skills in this pathway. The vision of these programs is to have students develop tangible skills, earn industry recognized certifications and meet and learn from industry and trade union partners.

The summer Welding Camps support the vision of having students in Grades 7 to 9 experience the skilled trades in a practical way while in elementary and secondary school. "If students participate in program such as the summer Welding Camp, they are more likely to take a Technological Education course in high school. They are then more likely to participate in programs such as the SHSM, OYAP and dual credit program in Grade 11 and/or Grade 12," said Stephen Hughes, Student Success Coordinator at the Durham Catholic District School Board  "After experiencing the apprenticeship pathway in high school, ?it is our hope that more students may choose to begin an apprenticeship after high school or enroll in a college program in the skilled trades and consider the skilled trades as a career option."

A very special part of the camp occurs each Thursday when Katherine Tudor, a welding instructor at Durham College, joins the class to speak about her apprenticeship journey.  She then spends the day with Mr. Vince Sorbilli working with the students and sharing her knowledge and skills.