Ottawa, ON — Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), and UA Canada join forces to support the next generation of skilled plumbers in indigenous communities.
This collaboration aims to upskill Indigenous youth while also supporting access to safe water and sanitation in Indigenous communities. Participants will receive hands-on training, mentorship from professional plumbers, and exposure to career pathways in the skilled trades.
“Skilled plumbers are essential to safe potable water systems and sanitation. The United Association, representing over 397,000 professionals across North America, including more than 63,000 in Canada, is proud to train and mentor the next generation. In collaboration with IWSH and IAPMO, this project reinforces high standards and expands our training outreach to support resilient communities,” said Mike Gordon, UA director of Canadian training.
The organization’s first project will take place in Walpole Island First Nation, located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Through this project, volunteers and community members will work together to complete important plumbing upgrades to a community building that provides meals, shower facilities, and workforce placement services.
The IWSH will lead a pre-apprenticeship training program for community members, with a focus on youth, covering jobsite safety and foundational plumbing skills.
The IWSH Walpole Community Project is scheduled for October 2026. During the Skills Canada National Competition 2026, in Toronto from May 27 to 30, IWSH and UA Canada will host an on-site booth to raise awareness of this upcoming community project and its impact.