CHALK RIVER – Opeongo High School student Yvonne Kirkpatrick has just completed her first semester at CNL’s world class, highly secure research facility on the shores of the Ottawa River.
“I did a lot of TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, so I learned a lot about that,” Yvonne said. “They do a lot of different stuff there.”
The Grade 12 student also learned to stick weld and MIG weld (Metal Inert Gas) during her four months at CNL.
OYAP gives students who are at least 16 years old and who have completed 16 credits the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while working towards an apprenticeship through a cooperative education placement.
One of the more memorable events was when she saw see an orbital welder in action. This welding machine works on a track and the arc can rotate mechanically through 360 degrees on objects including large pipes. CNL is the only place in the Ottawa Valley that utilizes this complex machine.
As impressed as Yvonne is with her training environment, her supervisors are just as impressed with her.
“She fits in really well with the team and she has a natural talent at welding,” said Pat Voisin, CNL Welding Professional and Kirkpatrick’s supervisor. “Everybody she has worked with says she is very good and she’s impressed a number of welders around here.”
Voisin first got a glimpse of Yvonne’s welding skills at the Renfrew County Skilled Trades Competition held at Options and hosted by Algonquin College.
“I saw Pat at Options and we discussed the possibility of me doing a co-op placement at CNL,” Yvonne said.
RCDSB Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) staff and a co-op coordinator arranged the semester long placement.
Since completing her placement, Yvonne has completed her first welding exam with the Canadian Welding Bureau and is preparing to compete in April at the Skills Ontario Eastern Region Competition in Kingston this April.
