Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) service recently welcomed representatives from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Canada to its Letterkenny Training Centre.
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Canada is linked to the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.
Over the last five years, Donegal ETB has developed links with the IBB Canada in order to expand international work experience opportunities for its welding learners.
Left-right: Vinny McGroary, Area Training Manager, Donegal ETB; Jason McInnis, National Director Health and Safety International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Canada; Tom McEnroe, European Representative, IBB Canada; Cathal McGee, Donegal ETB Welding Instructor; Arnie Stadnick, incoming International Vice President, IBB Canada; Jim Beauchamp, Assistant National Programme Coordinator, IBB Canada; Colm Richardson, Assistant Training Centre Manager, Donegal ETB.
Photo Clive Wasson
The diverse union represents workers throughout the United States and Canada in industrial construction, repair, and maintenance; manufacturing; shipbuilding and marine repair; railroads; mining and quarrying; cement kilns and related industries.
Donegal ETB Welding Instructor Cathal McGee showing Jason McInnis, National Director Health and Safety, IBB Canada and Arnie Stadnick, incoming International Vice President, IBB Canada, some stainless steel orbital welding test pieces that were completed in Donegal ETB’s Letterkenny Training Centre. Photo Clive Wasson
Donegal ETB’s FET Service met with incoming IBB International Vice President Arnie Stadnick, IBB National Director of Health and Safety Jason McInnis, IBB Assistant National Programme Coordinator Jim Beauchamp and IBB European Representative Tom McEnroe, all of whom have previously visited Donegal ETB’s Letterkenny Training Centre.
Cathal McGee, Donegal ETB Welding Instructor, remarked, “We first linked with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Canada in 2013 to secure work for Irish welders and help them to address a shortage of welders in Canada.
“We’ve achieved this by enabling our learners to achieve the Canadian Red Seal in Welding which qualifies them to weld in Canadian oil refineries.
“This qualification provides those seeking work with flexibility, choice and freedom as they are in a position to pick and choose where they want to work, the projects they want, and how long they want to work for.
Mc McGee added: “The demand for qualified welders far exceeds the supply in the pharmaceutical, oil refinery and nuclear power sectors.”
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Canada representatives viewing training facilities at Donegal ETB’s Letterkenny Training Centre with Donegal ETB learners and staff during their recent visit. Photo Clive Wasson
Donegal ETB offers an extensive range of basic, intermediate, coded pipe and Engineering Operations training.
IBB Canada representatives expressed their delight with the quality of the welding training being provided by Donegal ETB which has been recognised by the IBB Canada.
Cróna Gallagher, Director of FET, Donegal ETB stated, “We were delighted to welcome senior staff from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers to hear about their work and the fantastic travel and work opportunities our learners can avail of in Canada, in addition to the opportunities available at home in Ireland.”
Following their visit, Tom McEnroe, IBB European Representative, said, “We very much appreciate you making time to meet with us and look forward to continued co-operation.”
Specific Skills Training is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.
Tags:How two Donegal men sculpted top job prospects from Welding at Donegal ETB
