Ontario Investing in Advanced Machinery for Students in Simcoe-Grey

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

The Ontario government is investing $106,782 to purchase high-tech machines for
high schools in Simcoe-Grey helping young people gain the skills they need to prepare for careers in tooling and machining.

Details were announced today by Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey on behalf of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Simcoe-Grey MPP states “this investment is part of our Government’s commitment to ensuring our students have access to the best and most current technology to develop skills for their future careers.”

Equipment deliveries for 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.

“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 that 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.

Simcoe-Grey schools receiving machines:

Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School – Angus: $69,752.00
Collingwood Collegiate Institute: $37,030.00