Ontario Investing in Advanced Machinery for Students in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
Funding will Help Train High School Students for the Jobs of the Future
February 15, 2023
The Ontario government is investing over $150,000 to purchase high-tech machines for two high schools in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, helping young people gain the skills they need to prepare for careers in tooling and machining.
Details were announced today by John Jordan, MPP for LFK, on behalf of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
“We know that the province has an aging workforce in skilled trades, including tooling and machining”, said MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, John Jordan. “Expanding this vital program will provide our students with “hands on” experience, opening the eyes and minds of our young students to the possibilities of a life-long career in a skilled trade. Congratulations to our high schools in Carleton Place and Sydenham for contributing to this important initiative with training and now, new equipment to enhance these skills.”
Equipment deliveries for the program began in November and range from CNC milling centres, lathes, and plasma cutters, to CNC desktop milling machines and more. In addition, each school will receive tool kits and cutting tools.
“We are fortunate to be able to provide our students with these programs. I think that with the investments that have been made this year in our tech classes, we will see more students wanting to see what these programs are all about,” says Casey Nelson, Principal of CPHS.
Currently, CPHS has 95 students in its Transportation, Manufacturing and Integrated Technology class, which would be using the machines.
“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.”
This project by the CTMA and the Ontario Council for Technology and Education (OCTE) is funded through the ministry’s Skills Development Fund.
“Our government is proud to be funding projects that expose high school students to the skilled trades early on,” said Minister 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 Skills Development Fund allows organizations to apply for funding to deliver in-demand training programs. Since the Fund was launched in 2021, more than $660 million has been invested to help more than 400,000 people upgrade their skills.
“This is an excellent example of the intersection of classroom learning with community partners. We are thankful to our government partners for their investment in our schools. We are building capacity in the trades in a variety of ways throughout our school district, and look forward to continuing to expand the opportunities for our students,” adds UCDSB Chair John McAllister.
Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston High Schools Receiving Equipment
Carleton Place High School (Upper Canada District School Board)
Sydenham High School (Limestone District School Board)
MPP John Jordan Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
john.jordan@pc.ola.org
613-284-1630