Written by Jessica Allison
“Get out there. Jump in. It’s a win-win for everybody involved.”
Those are words of advice from Jason Martin, owner and president of Saint John’s Ready Arc Training and Testing, who believes in the power of bringing industry and education together. His team is proving how valuable that connection can be.
Ready Arc, a welder training and post-secondary centre based in Saint John, has spent years offering free training and resources to high school welding teachers throughout the province. It’s working to ensure that students receive an education that sets them up for success in their pursuit of a career in welding. The results of these efforts speak for themselves. Students are more engaged, exams are being passed with greater confidence, and Ready Arc is seeing more applicants ready to hit the ground running.
“By supporting high schools, you can ensure that the students and future applicants learn the facts about your trade or industry,” Martin said. “Who better to help young people learn about the trades than the tradespeople who will later be employing them?”
Martin and his team not only provide training to high school welding instructors; they also make classroom visits on a regular basis to offer insight and support to students considering a career in welding.
Taking time from their schedules, the Ready Arc team believes that it is worthwhile to volunteer their expertise to the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
By connecting with interested students, they can solidify the talent pipeline and begin building a relationship with people who may one day become applicants or employees. They even facilitate official Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) testing at a reduced rate to interested high schoolers.
“It works a bit like driver’s ed,” he said. “Students learn from us and their teachers, many of whom have also trained with Ready Arc, throughout the semester. The class then visits us at the shop to take the tests with CWB officials using our equipment and facilities.”
There is a small fee for the testing, but most of it is covered by Ready Arc. Martin and his team feel that the program is so beneficial that they’re willing to cover much of the funding. “A student’s financial situation shouldn’t be a barrier for this kind of programming,” he said. “It’s too valuable an experience for them.”
And the experience goes far beyond hands-on training. Students who work with the Ready Arc team in preparation for CWB testing gain a better understanding of the pressures and expectations that come with a career in the trades. It’s not just about welding skills; it’s a window into the real-world demands of the job and a valuable chance to build resilience and confidence in a supportive environment.
“As the connection between education and a career in welding, we really can make sure that students are truly learning what it means to work in this industry,” Martin said.
Ready Arc’s commitment has opened doors for students and ensured that teachers are equipped to deliver instruction that aligns with today’s industry standards.
The educators benefit. The students benefit. The industry benefits. And for Martin, the impact is clear: “The connection with young people is rewarding.”
The success of the program is proof that when industry, education, and community come together, everyone wins.
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ONB recognizes that student retention is vital to helping New Brunswick companies meet their current and future workforce needs. That’s why we are proud to promote the Centres of Excellence as they give New Brunswick students real work experience with the world-class employers we work with every day. Learn more at https://centresofexcellencenb.ca/
