Wolf Creek Public Schools has launched a new mobile welding program to connect Indigenous students to the skilled trades. A mobile welding lab will be used by the program for on-site instruction and mentorship. The lab was celebrated at an event that began with an opening prayer, smudging, and words of encouragement from Elders. “We have very few Indigenous students in welding and in the [Registered Apprenticeship Program] across our division,” said WCPS Director of Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Shelagh Hagemann. “We want to bring about this opportunity because we want to encourage students to get involved in the trades.” The program is supported by Metrax Indigenous Corporation, which has an agreement with the school district to provide Indigenous students with more opportunities to study in the skilled trades.
