Daniela Torelli

About me

I was born/grew up in: Tottenham, Ontario

I now live in: Tottenham, Ontario

I completed my training/education at:  Sheridan College, Welding Techniques Program

What I do at work

I work for an amazing not for profit organization. We help support welding companies, engineers, inspectors, supervisors, and welders. The CWB Group promotes the opportunities and importance of welding in Canada.

There are many aspects of this company that I get to be a part of and share my passion for welding. I work as a welding instructor. In this role, I teach the science of welding and provide hands on, practical training to students with wire fed welding processes. Welding is such a versatile trade. To be a successful welder you need to have a knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

When we do not have welding programs running, I work alongside the CWB Association. In this role, I assist in providing free welding content and education resources to welding professionals. I am also a mentor to new welders.

My career path is

In high school I loved animals. I worked on farms and with horses. At that time, I wanted to be a Vet Technician. After high school I gained experience working in many vet clinics. But this career path wasn't giving me the financial independence I wanted.

I had done an automotive class in high school. In this class I learned basics of welding.  I started looking at the different trades available. I took a chance on welding and signed up for a 1 year welding program with Sheridan College. I fell in love with the science and technology behind welding and never looked back!

There were many different types of welding jobs available and I had no idea what I wanted to do. I tried different welding jobs to see what suited me. After six years working in the welding industry I am now in education and inspection. I couldn't be happier!

Being a women in this industry has some challenges. The biggest challenge I faced in my career was when I was pregnant. It was a learning curve! I was fabricating two things at once: a baby and steel. I faced a lot of criticism and judgement. This fueled me to not give up. I worked until I was 7 months pregnant. Today I have a healthy 3 year old son. It was my hardest but proudest accomplishment in my career. I am proof that you can work in the skilled trades and be a mom too!

I am motivated by

I have a passion for welding! I am very excited that I get to share that passion as part of my job as an instructor. I have the opportunity to educate and inspire other women that might have never considered welding as an option. I get to show them that they are capable too.

I really enjoy when students say they can't do something and I get to show them how. Then I get to watch them bloom into something they didn't think they could be. I have a collection of thank you cards that I have received from previous welding students, male and female. In these cards, they have expressed how thankful they were for me as their instructor and how excited they are for their future. Those cards have left me with tears of happiness and make my job so rewarding.

How I affect peoples’ lives

My career is very fulfilling! I get to be the person at the start of a student’s journey in their welding career.  I am there to educate, motivate, and mentor them through any struggles they may face learning these new skills. I remember what it was like when I was in the student's position of starting a new career. I get to use my experiences to help them along their journey. Being a female working in a male dominated trade, I hope I can be an inspiration to other women. I want to help them realize that they too can work in this industry or in any of the skilled trades.

Outside of work I

My love for animals is still a huge part of my life. I volunteer my time at horse farms helping with their daily care. I enjoy horseback riding. I also like to make metal art with my own welding machine at home.

My advice to others

My advice would be don't give up. The first step to achieving greatness is believing in yourself. If you are experiencing any kind of negativity in your life, use that as fuel to prove anyone wrong who may doubt you.