First-year Canadore College welder fitter student, Lorianne Tavenor-Wilson, recently won a Canadian Welding Association (CWA) Foundation post secondary award.
The $2,000 CWA Foundation Award was presented to Tavenor-Wilson by CWA Foundation director, Deborah Mates last month.
She submitted an application to CWA which was weighted against academic achievement, welding-related volunteer and work experience, and community involvement. She also had to write an essay defining her career goals and interest in the welding industry.
“This award has deep meaning for me,” said Tavenor-Wilson. “I didn’t take a traditional route to college. In fact, I will be the first in my family to obtain a formal diploma. It took me a while to recognize the value of an education, but I now know I couldn’t live without it.”
Before completing high school, Tavenor-Wilson joined the workforce in the hopes of becoming self-employed in the trades sector. When she realized that her hopes weren’t tracking to plan, she struggled to find a way to be accepted into college with her level of educational attainment and financial challenges.
“Going back to school was a really hard decision for me,” said Tavenor-Wilson. “I had to consider my husband and my two sons. But in the end, we decided it was time for me to pursue my dream of a new career despite any financial implications associated with me leaving my full-time employment.”
Tavenor-Wilson said she wanted to set a good example for her children and for them to know that it’s never too late to get an education and that working hard for what you want pays off in the end.
Once she finishes her intensive 42-week program, Tavenor-Wilson plans to seek an apprenticeship to complete her red seal journeyman ticket. She is interested in becoming an advocate, mentor and speaker geared towards young women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades.
In addition to her vocational aspirations, she feels strongly about community involvement and has served for various organizations such as Citizens on Patrol with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, St. John Ambulance, and Emergency Social Services. Tavenor-Wilson is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Military Family Resource Centre at the 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base, serving in the role of treasurer.
