The MPP for Perth-Wellington has announced $185,000 to buy high-tech machinery for local schools.
“Our government will continue to invest in skilled trades education,” Matthew Rae said. “These are in demand, good paying jobs. By 2025, 1 in 5 jobs will be in the skilled trades, we need to ensure our students have industry leading machinery to learn on.”
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Skills Development Fund will support new equipment for Wellington Heights Secondary School, Stratford District Secondary School, St. Marys District Collegiate and Vocational Institute and the Pathways Innovation Centre.
The equipment includes lathes, and plasma cutters to CNC desktop milling machines, high precision conventional milling machines, lathes with readouts and CNC milling centres.
“This funding and equipment are great additions to our rural schools,” Rae added. “It is vital that our students are prepared for the jobs of the future.”
“Our government is proud to be funding projects that expose high school students to the skilled trades early on,” said Minister Monte McNaughton. “Ontario needs more skilled workers, and that starts with attracting more young people to these rewarding, well-paying and life-long careers. I want to congratulate the CTMA and OCTE for this incredible initiative.”
The Canadian Tooling & Machining Association and the Ontario Council for Technology and Education are leading the project.
“Our goal is to expose high school students to technology at an earlier age to engage their interest for a career within our industry,” said Robert Cattle, Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) Executive Director. “Not only does this expose students to newer technology at an earlier age, but also gives teachers up-to-date equipment to implement in their classrooms.”