More students get glimpse of manufacturing industry
It was a fun field trip to Anchor Danly for Villanova student Sebastian Falconio, “I really liked how they showed how to weld.”
The welding area was one of the more popular stops as students visited the shop for Manufacturing Day.
“I found that really cool and that's something I want to pursue when I'm older,” said Falconio.
Friday marked the 9th annual Manufacturing Day. It's a joint effort between Workforce Windsor-Essex, Invest Windsor-Essex, the Canadian Association of Moldmakers, and Automate Canada.
Friday’s event was the largest yet, with over a thousand students, 19 manufacturers, and 21 unique locations to visit. According to Workforce Windsor-Essex, skilled trades employs over 18-percent of our region making it the largest sector.
“We're hoping these sort of events pique the interest of those students as well as those who are already interested, those that are in shop classes,” said Project Coordinator Safa Youness.
Westview Freedom Academy teacher John Konopaski feels it’s important for students to see the real world.
“I think it's very important that they get exposure and a lot of them will be going right into the workplace so I think it's good to see different things they can do when they finish school,” he said.
However, manufacturing isn't for everyone.
“It's just not my thing, but it does look really unique and interesting,” said Villanova student Anna Zhukovska.
Others are at least open to contemplating a career in manufacturing following Friday’s excursion.
“Maybe, but I already had a few things in mind that I was thinking of doing before this,” said Cullen Spencer.
The shortage of skilled trade workers is not a secret across the province. There are currently seven CNC Machine Operator jobs open at Anchor Danly.
Company CEO John Spillane said an age gap is only going to get bigger and the need for young talent is important.
“The average age of the skilled trade person is sort of high 40s mid-50s, and there’s going to be a huge gap here in the next 10-20 [years] and now is the time to get people interested so that it’s possible to fill that gap,” said Spillane, who feels an event like this could help insert reality into a perception of the industry.
“If people realized that skilled trades are also involving a quite a bit of technology now as well. It's not just grinding or something like that. There's a lot of IT with some of the jobs that there's a lot more opportunities for them,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener, Ont. teen facing 29 charges after serious threats made against schools, businesses and people
A 15-year-old boy from Kitchener, Ont. is facing a long list of criminal charges as the Waterloo Regional Police Service wraps up a lengthy swatting investigation.
Former finance minister Bill Morneau questions if it's the 'right time' for emissions cap following Trump re-election
Following the re-election of former U.S. president Donald Trump, former finance minister Bill Morneau says the Canadian government should re-evaluate the timing of some cornerstone Liberal policies.
Northern Ontario teen recovering in hospital after being attacked; ex-boyfriend charged with attempted murder
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
Airlines cancel flights to Haiti after gunfire hits Spirit airplane over Port-au-Prince
A Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire Monday over Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, according to diplomatic source in the country, resulting in what the airline described as “minor injuries” to one of its crew members.
Man who allegedly staged bear attack arrested for murder in stolen identity scheme
A man accused of killing a person and staging it as a fatal bear attack in Tennessee was taken into custody in South Carolina over the weekend on murder charges, in what authorities described as a plot to steal the victim’s identity.
Alien-like signal from 2023 has been decoded. The next step is to figure out what it means
If Earth's astronomical observatories were to pick up a signal from outer space, it would need an all-hands-on-deck effort to decipher the extraterrestrial message. A father-daughter team of citizen scientists recently deciphered the message. Its meaning, however, remains a mystery.
Canada cancels automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas, tightens rules
Canada has announced changes to their visitor visa policies, effectively ending the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas, according to new rules outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Tornado touched down Sunday in Fergus, Ont., experts confirm
A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.