Cormode & Dickson are proud to celebrate the opening of CLAC’s state of the art Welding Training Facility in Edmonton.

The recently completed expansion of the CLAC facility on 118 Avenue was officially opened on October 9th by Federal Minister of Employment and Social Development, Jason Kenney, who remarked

“The government of Canada is pleased to see CLAC committed to supporting the training of students in the skilled trades to ensure they are properly prepared for the job site.”

Also on hand to celebrate the opening were Alberta Minister of Jobs, Skills and Labour, Ric McIver, CLAC Alberta Director Wayne Prins, and Cormode & Dickson President Ben Elzen.

The entrance to the New State of the Art Welding Training Center
The entrance to the New State of the Art Welding Training Center

Cormode & Dickson was selected to complete this state of the art, design build expansion due to both their expertise of technologically innovative projects and strong relations to CLAC. Not only did the 12,600 square foot expansion contain state of the art classrooms and training/testing space with 38 new welding booths; it is now home to an innovatively advanced welding center that provides a safe and more effective learning environment.

Have you ever heard of a Welding Helmet CAM? Well, this was designed in conjunction with the U of A to provide welding students with the opportunity to watch the instructor execute proper welding techniques in real time. Talk about hands on training! This unique and crucial tool, currently in the process of being patented, is just one of the many ways CLAC is able to uphold the innovative standards in their new Welding Training Facility.

For Cormode & Dickson, this project presented the opportunity for employees to demonstrate their warrior spirit.

As with any project, Cormode’s technical construction skills, strong onsite management and project management communication were key to bringing this project from thought to reality.

From the coordination involved in accommodating the power and air filtration system for each of the 38 new welding booths, to bringing together conventional steel, masonry firewall, and pre-engineered building materials, the end result is a congruent expansion that looks and feels as one facility.

Outside the new State of the Art Welding Training Center
Outside the new State of the Art Welding Training Center

CLAC has continually provided training, skills, and career development to help ensure its members have safe and successful careers. This support begins for many in the High Schools to Hard Hats Program and continues throughout their careers. Cormode & Dickson are proud to have partnered with CLAC on a number of projects from the development of their new Edmonton Facility in 2006, to constructing the original Training Facility in 2009, a Fort McMurray Office Building in 2013, and the latest Welding Training Centre in 2014.

Great business relationships are built on communication, honesty and meeting deadlines.

The Cormode & Dickson relationship with CLAC has been built on a foundation of strong, open and honest two way communications, working through challenges and changes with a robust exchange of ideas and delivering facilities that all can be very proud of.

“We have worked with CLAC many times in recent years and I am very proud of how the new CLAC Welding Training Facility came together. I know Cormode & Dickson and CLAC employees work well together because we share a common goal of creating great and safe spaces for our employees to work in.” – Ben Elzen, President Cormode & Dickson. – “At Cormode and Dickson Building Futures Together is what we do and together with CLAC we have once again delivered on our promise.”