UA Local 67 and the CWB Group celebrate the successful launch of Acorn

November 27, 2019

CWB Group hosts Acorn students at UA Local 67 to celebrate the successful launch of our state-of-the-art educational programming on December 11, 2019, in Hamilton

For immediate release

November 26, 2019, Milton, ON- CWB Group, in partnership with UA Canada, is in the midst of completing a 10-week Acorn program at UA Local 67 through their trade school called the Technical Trades Academy (TTA). The first class to use our state-of-the-art Acorn program for their Welding Apprenticeship Level 1 course has provided very positive feedback. To Dale McGavin, Director of Training at UA Local 67 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), the implementation of such an immersive curriculum would be hugely beneficial. Acorn offers interactive online coursework that allows students to engage with their education in a way that’s never been done before. Through a one-of-a-kind experience, students are able to take a hands-on approach to their learning where they can go at their own pace, whether it be in-class, online or mobile.

On December 11, 2019, the CWB Group and UA Local 67 will host the future graduates of the successful pilot to celebrate their many wins throughout the duration of their course. Ray Lemieux, Training Specialist at UA Canada and Dale McGavin, will provide the opening address, and Bill Gwynne, VP of Industry Solutions and Trent Konrad, Acorn Manager, will lead a discussion on the future of Acorn at the CWB Group. Participating students of our pilot program will have the opportunity to share their success stories, followed by a lunch provided for all students and instructors.

“The students love the interactive aspect of the program, and it’s something that we’ve never done before, which has been great,” said McGavin. “Overall, we are extremely pleased with how the program is mapped out, and the students are really enjoying the online elements. The voiceover option in the program is unique to any other training programs out there because it provides built-in accommodations making it inclusive and individualized for each student that is enrolled.”

“Our partnership with Acorn has given our individual locals the much-needed resources and teaching tools which cannot be overstated,” shared Ray Lemieux, Training Specialist at UA Canada. “When travelling around the country, the biggest obstacle we encounter is the issue of time for our welding instructors to produce and deliver in-class theory training in a professional manner. Building trade school content to the extent which Acorn has delivered can only increase the level of success and learning opportunities that our students will receive. We as an organization are very excited about our partnership with CWBi Acorn as we standardize our welder training programs. The continuing education of our members through the modern and constantly updated training material provided by this partnership will help us achieve the objective of staying leaders in the piping industry.”

UA Canada and CWB Group announced their partnership at CWB Group’s annual Educators Conference in May, and both organizations hope to advance the enrolment in the skilled trades to boost Canadian economic performance through various initiatives and programs.

“We are really excited to have UA Canada local 67 pilot this innovative approach to welding apprenticeship resources,” shared Konrad. “CWBi Acorn is committed to improving how students learn through apprenticeship, and our partnership with UA Canada is at the heart of that.”

UA Canada and CWB Group are committed to education and training in the trades, and through the initial implementation of Acorn at Local 67, we hope to grow and strengthen this partnership even further. Due to the success of the pilot program, the JATC under the UA Canada umbrella hopes to implement Acorn into their Level 1, 2, 3 apprenticeship courses over the next year. Through strategic partnerships such as these, the CWB Group hopes to increase awareness around the skilled trades and encourage young professionals to consider welding as a viable and outlasting career option.

About CWBi Acorn:

The CWB Group is investing for a better future, and that starts with education. It is one of the CWB Group’s goals to drive both knowledge and competency through the development of a national training program for welding and fabrication professionals.  At the heart of CWBi, Acorn is its world-class content that has been developed with the needs of today’s learners and educators in mind. To show commitment to the program, the CWB Group is fully funding the development of CWBi Acorn, giving back to the industry that supports it, and creating the one thing industry needs most to succeed- well-trained employees. To learn more about our exciting program, please visit https://www.cwbgroup.org/acorn.

About UA Canada:

When you go with the UA, you get the benefit of over 125 years of experience in the piping industry. We bring generations of experience and attract the best Welders, HVACR Service Technicians, Steamfitters/Pipefitters, Sprinklerfitters, Instrumentation Mechanics/Technicians and Plumbers in Canada. No matter the size of your project, whether it’s cornerstone national infrastructure or you’re installing sprinklers in your apartment building, we’ve got the professionals you need at a moment's notice. Just say when.