February 15, 2023 - The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is excited to share that Athens District High School (ADHS) and Carleton Place District High School (CPHS) have both received a grant of $72,800 from the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program, through the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA). The program is being funded in-part by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as part of the efforts to build capacity in the skilled trades.
Thanks to this grant, ADHS and CPHS will purchase and install a Tormach CNC Milling Machine, a Tormach CNC Lathe and a Tormach CNC Router in their technology/machine shops.
Learning how to use and operate these machines will help students interested in careers in precision metalworking, welding, woodworking and home construction. However, a variety of industries require people with the skills to use these machines, from automotive to aerospace, medical and packaging.
“Getting this grant and the funding for machines like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said ADHS Teacher Glen Truelove as he explained how the machines would impact the programming at the school to Steve Clarke, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, during a school visit.
“This machinery is a big deal for us. We are really looking forward to having our students get creative and explore the opportunities that learning how to use these machines will provide,” adds ADHS Principal Brent Brown.
“[This funding] is the latest evidence of our government’s commitment to providing students with the skills and support they need to succeed,” said MPP Steve Clark. “I’d like to thank Minister McNaughton for his advocacy and leadership on this file, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact for students at Athens District High School.”
Currently, ADHS has 58 students in its Transportation, Manufacturing and Integrated Technology class, which would be using the machines. At CPHS, 95 students are currently enrolled in similar programs.
“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.
“We know that the province has an aging workforce in skilled trades, including tooling and machining. 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. On behalf of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, congratulations to Carleton Place High School and Athens District High School for contributing to this important initiative with training and now, new high-tech machines to enhance these skills,” says Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan.
Both ADHS and CPHS expect the machines to arrive and be installed by the end of March, and have students using them this term.
“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.
For media inquiries, please contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications & Relationship Management
Upper Canada District School Board
[email protected]