(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

MOBILE WELDING FACILITY

Mobile Trades Unit brings advanced training to prospective welders in Logan Lake

Feb 26, 2026 | 5:37 PM

LOGAN LAKE, B.C. – For 19 years, the Mobile Trades Unit (MTU) has brought welding certification programs to rural communities like Clearwater, Barriere and others.

It’s co-owned by Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and School District 73, and for this semester, it’s set up at Logan Lake Secondary School, where 12 students and two adult learners have begun welding training. 

The mobile welding trades unit was headed to Logan Lake, though due to funding shortfalls from TRU and SD73, $112,000 needed to be raised for the program. 

With the help of parents and a determined principal, the program overcame that shortfall and cut through a barrier for rural students.

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“We ended up surpassing our goal of $112,000 in early October, and we were able to fund the students’ textbooks and their PPE and tools. All the stuff that they required for the program as well, which is usually a cost to each student,” said Ron Collins, the principal of Logan Lake Elementary and Secondary School.

The trailer has been all over the province for almost two decades, and TRU says it’s provided those who have been part of the program with valuable life experience.  

“It’s learning how to weld, but it’s also learning how to work. I’ve seen students do this program. Then they have gone on to become teachers. I’ve had students who have gone on to become nurses. I’ve seen students who have gone on to become instructors at TRU. It’s a great opportunity just to start building that work ethic and learn a new skill,” said Dwayne Geiger, the partnership transitions coordinator at TRU. 

Students have already started welding. Many of them had to have their graduation prerequisites to start the program – a big commitment without knowing if they had a course, but they had trust in their principal. 

“I wasn’t too worried about not having it because Mr. Collins reassured us and was like, ‘We’re 90 per cent (to) having this.’ We have to get this done, and we want it,’” said Cheyenne Harkins, a Grade 11 student. 

“I was super excited at the start and then nervous when there were questions of not being able to get it, but once we were actually able to get all the funding, I was super excited. I already had all my classes done and ready. I’ve been prepared for a while now,” said Colby Blakley, a Grade 12 student. 

The program instructor believes the mobile trades unit provides opportunities for rural students in all trades.

“Being able to come to a rural community and do it. It’s over the top because so many of these kids, like the group of 12 that I have, there might be two that have the ability to actually take the program in Kamloops. They’re all super passionate to be here and that’s the biggest part of it. They all want to be here. And so we turn out some great kids out of these programs,” said Michael Grainger, an instructor for the TRU Welding program. 

The MTU has brought together community members and businesses and hopes to give the 12 students an opportunity they would have never been able to get.