CWA National Advisory Council
The CWA held an annual National Advisory Council meeting and Awards dinner on September 3 in Calgary. The Jacobson award was presented to Sylvester Mardell of the Edmonton Chapter for his outstanding contribution to the operation and long term service.

Gene Thorarinson is captured in the first photo presenting the Jacobson award plaque and a $500 cheque to (right) Sylvester Mardell. The Michael N. Vuchnich Award for individuals who, in their career have contributed to the advancement of the science, technology and application of arc welding in Canada, was formally presented to Neil Paolini by Joseph Doria, President of Lincoln Electric, Canada (right) on October 6 at the Toronto chapter meeting in the second photo.

A number of very exciting developments are happening in our Association. Our educational video has been seen by thousands of students, parents and educators with very positive feedback[JCM2] . The membership has grown significantly to over 4000 members. We have plans to double the number of our chapters within one year. Please let us know if you would be interested in helping out on one of the chapter executive committees. It only takes a few hours a year. Our chapter’s Fall programs are in full swing. Please visit our website for details or contact one of the chapter executive members in your area. We will be issuing a call for papers for our first annual conference in the Fall of 2010, more details will be available in the near future.

Top row: Dan Tadic, Tracy Lippai Regina, Emad Assaad Toronto and National Advisory Council Chair, Doug Luciani CEO CWB Group, Sylvester Mardell Edmonton, Dale Malcolm V.P. Sales Lincoln Electric, Don Gemmell Hamilton and a new chairman of the NAC, Don Duncan Winnipeg. Bottom row: Bill Eccles Ottawa, Will Morlidge Calgary, Jason Ryan Golden Triangle and Fernand Boivin Nova Scotia.

New National Advisory Council Chairman

	For the past three years, I was blessed and honoured to serve as the President of the Canadian Welding Association, and then as Chairman of the National Advisory Council. On Thursday, September 3 at the National Advisory Council Meeting in Calgary, the torch was passed to the first Vice Chair, Mr. Don Gemmell of the Hamilton chapter.
Don Gemmell

One can only describe the past three years as exciting, challenging and rewarding. As you know, our organization went through uncertain periods during negotiating the details of joining the CWB; there were also many questions regarding the future of the CWA. Today, I can gladly and proudly report to you, after one year of this merger, that our organization is much stronger, our members are receiving more services, our chapters are reviving and delivering much needed services to its local members, and we are expanding our membership and chapter program across Canada. The future of our organization is bright, solid and promising. Those great achievements were made possible by the endless hours of hard work of volunteers across our chapters who are only armed with a passion and vision to our welding industry and community. I would like to thank each one of them for their contributions, commitment and professionalism.

Lastly, I would like to welcome our new Chairman, Mr. Don Gemmell, who will guide our organization for the next two years. Don was always an instrumental factor in all the key decisions for the CWA in the past years; we can only expect more success under his leadership. Jason Ryan of the Golden Triangle begins the new two year term as the NAC Vice Chair. I would like to thank all for your trust, guidance and support.
Written by: Emad Assaad

CMTS
It’s time for Canadian manufacturers to “take a leap of faith,” say industry experts and organizers of Automation Rendez-vous 2009. A two-day technical conference co-located with the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show 2009, Automation Rendez-vous 2009 will be held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto from October 20-21.

“This has been a very scary and unpredictable economic time, but it’s also an opportunity to look around, really examine how we operate, and uncover ways to be stronger together,” says Shelley Fellows, Vice-President, Operations at Windsor, Ontario-based Radix Inc., and a panelist who will kick off the conference with a look at collaborative partnerships as a way to survive in a tough economy.

Additional conference presentations will cover robotics, machine vision, just-in-time delivery, and ways to increase automation safety, boost productivity and eliminate the manufacturing bottleneck. Targeted at the automotive, aerospace, aeronautics, agri food, solar energy, construction, consumer products, medical, pharmaceutical and lumber industries, the event will also feature a networking area and table top exhibits. For more information, visit www.cmts.ca.

The Careers in Welding Video is a Success
The CWA welding education video for high school students is a great success. It has been posted on a variety of industry and association sites. The responses from teachers have been very positive. Here is some of the great feedback we have been receiving.

“I think the video is excellent. It is fast paced and upbeat. I think it is to the point and will keep the kids interest. It covers a lot of areas in a short time. I think it will keep the kids interest for the whole video. I like it." Mark Jones Head of Technology Specialist High Skills Major Manufacturing Barton Secondary.
 
“Hi Dan, nice to hear from you. These videos will be a wonderful learning tool in my classroom. Thank you very much.” Ned Vicic Notra Dame High School.   “I enjoyed it- short and to the point. The cinematography is very well done.” Yvan Poulin Robert Bateman High School. 
 
“I watched the video - it was GREAT!!  I wanna go take welding classes now!  Oh wait, I already did! It was a very positive and enthusiastic video, showing different aspects to it as well as the versatility of it. Good job!  I give it an "A+" Nicole Leclair Praxair.
 
“Fantastic, I will definitely use this during promotion and orientation classes at the college. Great job!"  Don Gemmell, Niagara College. 

“Wow !!!   What a great video. Job well done. We will certainly do our best to promote the new video and the new CWA". Scott MacKay Wpg. Chapter Foreman-Welding Department MacDon Industries Ltd. 
 
“I really enjoyed the video.  I like the fact that they talked about the welding industry today as opposed to years ago.  I will definitely show this video to all of my students." Thanks, Sam Gamble S.W.C
www.cwa-acs.org/ video.html

International Cooperation at World Skills
Canada had the honour of playing host to the 2009 World Skills event. Thousands attended the event held at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. While the event was a primarily a competition between countries around the world, it also gave unique opportunities for countries to work together and learn from each other.

This was just the case when July 2009 the CWA got a call for help from the South African Institute of Welding (SAIW). Etienne Nell, Manager of Trainer Services at SAIW, had realized that the grinders they were about to ship to Calgary for the welding competition at the World Skills event all needed 240V to operate – an issue, as 120V is the standard in Canada and therefore the grinders would not work. The CWA contacted it’s Corporate Members for help, and Praxair Canada came to the rescue. Dennis DeLange of Praxair’s Edmonton operations arranged for the loan of two 120V grinders to be used by the South African competitor, Louis Steynberg. With the help of Scot Jackman, Praxair’s local Calgary representative, the grinders were delivered to Louis and he was able to participate with the equipment he needed. Both SAIW and CWA appreciate the support of Praxair in helping the South African team – an excellent example of international cooperation in the welding industry!

Left to right: Ken Pearce CWA/CWB, Etienne Nell Southern Africa Institute of Welding, Louis Steynberg South African World Skills Welding competitor, Scot Jackman Praxair representative