Main photo: Grade 11 students (from left) Max Hill, Garrett Stillar, Kyler Thompson, Cameron Torrance, Colby Thur, Gideon Climenhaga, James Boothby, Iain Renwick, Tyler Blair, Garrett Crozier and Gerrit Hill all earned CWB SMAW Level 1 Flat certifications this year. They’ll have opportunity to earn others when they return for grade 12 in the fall. (supplied photo)
In May, we told you about the success of the welding students at Huntsville High School (HHS), with 10 of 15 passing Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certifications that are usually completed at college level. But by the time the school year was done, that number had climbed to 21 students and 26 total certifications.
This is the fourth year the exams have been offered at HHS, one of just a few high schools in Ontario that does. The 21 who passed this year almost doubled the 11 who passed in the previous three years combined.
Grade 11 students Tyler Blair, James Boothby, Gideon Climenhaga, Garrett Crozier, Gerrit Hill, Max Hill, Iain Renwick, Garrett Stillar, Kyler Thompson, Colby Thur, and Cameron Torrance all earned CWB SMAW (shielded metal arc welding) Level 1 Flat certifications this year. Boothby also earned a Horizontal certification. They will be able to challenge other positions when they return to the program in grade 12, and have the opportunity to graduate with welding qualifications that are not usually offered until after a year of college.
Ten Grade 12 students joined them in that success: John Curtis, Tyler Jones, Riley Kyneston, Bentley Lupton, Mitchell Paquin, Blake Schmitz, Quinton Strood, Aidan Todd, Logan Voyer, and Cameron Yeo. In addition to the Flat certification, Schmitz also earned certifications in the remaining SMAW positions (Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead) and a GMAW (gas metal arc welding) Flat certification through a co-op placement at Muskoka Millwrighting and Machining.
HHS welding and manufacturing teacher Jim Milne couldn’t be more thrilled. “This has been my proudest moment as an educator,” he said. “To see the pride and sense of accomplishment in these students was a joy and extremely satisfying.”
HHS grade 12 students (from left) Riley Kyneston, Logan Voyer, Blake Schmitz, Aidan Todd, John Curtis, Mitchell Paquin, Quinton Strood, and Cameron Yeo earned their CWB SMAW Level 1 Flat certifications this year. Blake Schmitz also earned an additional four certifications. Missing from photo: Bentley Lupton and Tyler Jones. (supplied photo)
Community partners help to make the program a success. In particular, Milne thanks Cheryl Wilson, Les Culp, Dave Thur and Dave Pattison at Muskoka Millwrighting and Machining (MMM), along with all of the company’s employees who support students in their co-op placements. “They are an amazing community partner and supporter of my program,” said Milne. “Earlier in the year we were able to purchase a CNC plasma cutter from MMM and Cheryl Wilson from MMM donated $10,000 towards the cost of the machine that allowed us to purchase it.”
The manufacturing program at HHS is just one of four Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs at the school, along with arts and culture, construction, and hospitality and tourism. SHSM students also receive training in first aid, CPR and WHMIS along with skills training specific to their program like confined spaces.
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Excellent work Jim Milne ! Lessons that last a lifetime and the best way to pay it forward as a skilled tradesman / role model yourself .
Even though we are relative newcomers (30 years), to Huntsville and our children and grandchildren grew up elsewhere, I am so proud of the Huntsville High School and its staff. They seem to really focus on and foster the interests and talents of the students, whatever they may be, from music to welding. Congrats to all.
Mr. Milne deserves a ton of praise for his leadership, patience and understanding with these kids. He is inspiring these young adults to pursue careers in the trades., which is a place where they can find jobs in the future. HHS is lucky to have him!