Donagh McAvinue

About me

I was born/grew up in: I was born in the town of Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland. I spent 32 years living in Ireland.

I now live in: I now live in Ontario, and I have also lived in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as a welder.

I completed my training/education at: In 2003 I completed my Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Ireland. I studied my first block release at the FAS training center in a city called Waterford and then my second and third block release at the Linnen Hall training center as part of Dublin Institute of Technology. During my time in Ireland, I also took on some 12-week welding courses at night.

Since arriving in Canada in 2012, I studied through the CWB Group to gain my welding tickets, my welding supervisor qualifications in steel and aluminum, and then went on to become a level one, then level two welding inspector. I gained my weld specialist mark in 2016 and became a Journeyman welder in 2022, which was a 10-year goals since arriving in Canada.

What I do at work

I supervise 9 full-time and 5 part-time Certification Services Representatives. My team carries out auditing, welder testing, procedure testing and exam invigilation. We also visit job sites where steel structures are being erected as part of our audit.

My daily activities are to support my team. I also do problem solving for our clients and help everyone stay on track. I am lucky to have an excellent team who are very capable and very experienced in the welding industry. Our department works with codes and standards. We also use a lot of welding literature and technologies.

In my position, decisions are made based on the problem which is presented. The use of standards, welding literature, internal documents, experience, and protocols all play an important part in final decisions when involved in welding and company certification.

I work as part of a team in the Ontario region which is part of the overall team across Canada. On a day-to-day basis I can communicate with dozens of teammates and clients.

During my time with the CWB I have worked for a number of departments. This includes the W.E.S.T wire-fed welding program where I helped in the design of the training books, layout and set-up of the 12-week programs. I also led the program as the lead instructor. 

I have also been involved in the production of welding videos to help welders prepare for their test day. Check out video 1 and video 2. I have also worked as an Instructor for the CWB education department. In this role I provide the instruction for Welding Supervisor students and Level 1 Inspection students.

My career path is

I did not expect to become a welder or welding inspector. I completed my high-school work experience with a company in my hometown of Shannon. When I completed my exams, they hired me right out of school to become an automated orbital welder. From there I moved to a company to learn welding and become a Sheet Metal Work apprentice.

Over the years I worked in metal work and welding in Ireland. In 2012 a job fair was held in Dublin. I attended and was sponsored by a company and the Saskatchewan government to come to Canada.

I have been lucky enough to build an amazing career in something I knew very little about in high school, except for construction class. And even after that, I did not know welding was so big around the world. I have been influenced by people who I have worked with over the years. Some have trained me and helped with my education. Sometimes, someone has to believe in you to get you on the career ladder.

I am motivated by

The welding sector has always been exciting to me for many reasons. It allows for travel and interesting jobs around the world. I also find it exciting when new technologies are released! It is always exciting to learn how we can implement new technology into the industry.

My career has always been fulfilling! I have had steady work, seen amazing industries and places. It has also allowed me to build a fantastic family and career life. I enjoy meeting new people through my position and my career in general. It is always fascinating to learn about people involved in this industry and trade.

This career was always right for me as I did not want to always sit behind a desk. Welding allowed me to build and see those finished products and projects. This gave me a sense of accomplishment.  Through teaching and instructing in the industry I have seen so many people go on to their own fantastic careers. It is great to know that along the way, I was involved in that with them.

How I affect peoples’ lives

The team I work with focuses on public safety from a welding perspective. We ensure that the companies who make structures and other metal creations are certified to the correct standards. We also make sure they continue to follow these standards. We qualify the welders, supervisors and inspectors who work for these companies. This helps ensure they are held to the highest levels of the welding industry.

This in turn creates jobs for skilled workers and opens doors for new welders to enter the industry. I believe welding to be a fantastic career which can make a big difference in people’s lives. This can happen because there is always work available and opportunities to grow in the industry. And, like me, you can see the world with this trade.

Outside of work I

I am an avid comic book collector. I have always loved playing soccer, which I now do with my 2.5-year-old son. I also do some weightlifting.

My advice to others

Do the work when you are young. Complete your apprenticeship and welding tickets. Then begin studies to become a supervisor and inspector. Even if you enjoy the practical, hands on work more, the theory side of our industry can help open many doors and interesting career paths you may not know exist.