Ontario Investing in Advanced Machinery for Students in Windsor Essex

Funding will Help Train High School Students for the Jobs of the Future

NEWS                                                                                                                                February 16, 2023

Windsor – The Ontario government is investing over $748,000 to purchase high-tech machines for high schools in Windsor-Essex, helping young people gain the skills they need to prepare for careers in tooling and machining.

Details were announced today by MPP Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor Tecumseh and MPP Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex, on behalf of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“Careers in the skilled trades are lucrative, well-paying, and rewarding. This investment will help put young students on the path to critical and rewarding careers, and I am thrilled to see that in our region.” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for the Riding of Essex.

Equipment deliveries for this latest round of the program began in November 2022, and range from CNC milling centres, lathes, and plasma cutters to CNC desktop milling machines, high precision conventional milling machines, lathes with readouts, and more. In addition, each school will receive tool kits and cutting tools.

“Advanced manufacturing is the backbone of our economy in Windsor and Essex County, with rewarding careers in the sector right here at home in Windsor-Essex,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor—Tecumseh.  “This investment by our government to bring industry equipment right into our neighbourhood’s schools will greatly support our youth and young adults in their path to a tremendous and prosperous future.”

“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.

Windsor-Essex High Schools Receiving Machines

BELLE RIVER DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL $113,000
NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL$ 59,000
KINGSVILLE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL $ 75,000
NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL $ 29,000
RIVERSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL  $ 44,000
VINCENT MASSEY SECONDARY SCHOOL $ 97,000
HERMAN ACADEMY SECONDARY SCHOOL $ 80,000
FREEDOM ACADEMY SECONDARY SCHOOL $ 99,000
ST. ANNE’S HIGH SCHOOL $ 67,000

*approximate dollar value

“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. Windsor-Essex schools have realized over $748,000 in the last year through the CTMA and OCTE project, to help prepare students for in-demand careers in tooling and machining. 

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QUICK FACTS

  • The Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) can be contacted via phone at (519) 653-7265, and email: rcattle@ctma.com
  • Each participant will work alongside experienced tradespeople, skilled workers, and other professionals who will provide them with an opportunity to gain real world experience.
  • Eligible employers could receive a wage subsidy of 50% of wages paid, up to $5,000 per placement.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Paul Synnott

Executive Assistant Andrew Dowie, MPP

Windsor-Tecumseh

Ph: 519-251-0437 Cell: 226-724-6978

Email: paul.synnott@pc.ola.org

Armand Anderson

Executive Assistant

Office of Anthony Leardi, MPP, Essex

o: +1 519 736 1550

e: armand.anderson@pc.ola.org

BACKGROUND

School BoardSchool Name:   Make / Model and Description of EquipmentQty of ItemTotalsDelivery Date / Expected Delivery Date
GECDSBBelle River District High SchoolModernModern Milling Machine 208 3ph 3VM RamTurret Type Milling Machine c/w DRO1$18,800.00November 24, 2022
GECDSBBelle River District High SchoolModernModel: 3VM RamTurret Type Milling Machine c/w DRO1$18,752.35Jan 5 2022
      $37,552.35
GECDSBNorth Star High SchoolSircoHaas TM – 1 CNC Milling Machine for GECDSB158,997.30April 8 2022
     58,997.30
GECDSBKingsville District High SchoolHeinmanKent KGS Surface Grinder for GECDSB116,119.45March 18 2022
GECDSBKingsville District High SchoolStudicaTormach XS CNC Tech Router2$11,400.00February/March 2023
GECDSBKingsville District High SchoolOSGOSG Cutter Package number 41$2,000.00February/March 2023
GECDSBKingsville District High SchoolKBCKBC Metrology Package number 11$2,000.00February/March 2023
GECDSBKingsville District High SchoolStudiaTormach CNC Milling Machine for GECDSB143,505.00Jan 9 2022
     $75,024.45
GECDSBNorth Star High SchoolSirco MachineryHaas Desktop CNC Milling Machine2$28,508.00October 25 2022
    $28,508.00 
GECDSBRiverside Secondary SchoolLincolnModel: Torchmate 4400-FC80 CNC Plasma Cutting Table ( 4×4 cutting area) ADT-1147144,162.19Feb 28, 2022
     44,162.19
GECDSBSandwich Secondary SchoolModernModern Milling Machine 208 3ph 3VM RamTurret Type Milling Machine c/w DRO1$18,800.00November 24, 2022
GECDSBSandwich Secondary SchoolStudicaTool Changer1$9,770.37Dec 5 2022
GECDSBSandwich Secondary SchoolStudicaCAMaster Stinger II – CNC Router146,296.10Jan 9 2022
     $74,866.47
GECDSBVincent Massey Secondary SchoolStudicaTormach CNC Milling Machine PNC 1100M1$46,500.00February/March 2023
GECDSBVincent Massey Secondary SchoolSimplyAxiom CNC Router2$50,570.89April 5, 2022
     $97,070.89
GECDSBW. F. Herman Academy Secondary SchoolModernModern Milling Machine 208 3ph 3VM RamTurret Type Milling Machine c/w DRO1$18,800.00November 24, 2022
GECDSBW. F. Herman Academy Secondary SchoolHeinmanBaxter Verticut Bandsaw for GECDSB122,645.20March 18 2022
GECDSBW. F. Herman Academy Secondary SchoolHeinmanKent KGS Surface Grinder for GECDSB122,645.20March 18 2022
GECDSBW. F. Herman Academy Secondary SchoolModernModern Drill Press with Chuck Guard for GECDSB1$16,159.00Jan 5 2022
     $80,249.40
GECDSBWestview Freedom Academy Secondary SchoolModernModel: MODERN RML-1440
HIGH SPEED PRECISION LATHE
259,815.42March 31, 2022
       
GECDSBWestview Freedom Academy Secondary SchoolStudiaTormach PCNC770 CNC Milling Machine for GECDSB139,211.00Jan 5 2022
    $99,026.42
WECDSBSt. Anne’s High SchoolStudicaTormach CNC Milling Machine PNC 1100M1$46,500.00
WECDSBSt. Anne’s High SchoolStudicaTormach CNC Lathe 37900-DP1$20,500.00
     $67,000.00 
     $662,457.47 
    HST$86,119.47 
    Total$748,576.94