History

Our Beginning

As early as 1999, Can-Weld Training & Testing Centre established themselves as a premier welding school in southwestern Ontario. Our doors are opened to all individuals, with a minimum age of 16 years, wanting basic "hands-on" practical training to start a welding career. Training that can take an individual to independent manufacturing and/or fabricating companies for employment. Can-Weld is a C.W.B. accredited test centre and can also provide T.S.S.A. certification. As a local testing facility, this service provides a convenience to students establishing first-time certification and journeypeople wishing to upgrade or renew their certification.

Due to the nature of welding, the booths are individually wired to prohibit power differential and power ventilation which is essential. Can-Weld was the first welding school in Canada to invest in a new Filter Max technology for ventilation. The filter system is a modular concept dust and smoke collector, with high capacity, compact filter cells with full automatic cleaning. Smoke and dust from the training centre is captured at source. The air is scrubbed clean and returned to the facility, promoting a healthy learning environment while protecting the natural environment.

Can-Weld's main concern at the time was to utilize the student hours efficiently and reduce idle time spent waiting on the shop floor. This issue was solved by having training and testing coupons (e.g., a welder's steel practice piece) prepared in advance and thus maximizing time spent welding. These coupons are still cut and beveled. Our coupons became a popular selling item to companies and unions for practice as well.


In 2003 Sheet Metal Local #539 and Electrician Local #503 also endorsed Can-Weld by using our facility and solidifying our reputation. Can-Weld grew again and we regrettably incurred a 6 week waiting list in 2006, even with offering night time sessions and continual enrollment. By 2007, we addressed the waiting problem and expanded from 15 to 25 welding booths.