MADE MadeAND andBUILT builtIN inEASTERN Eastern ONTARIO Ontario 2019/2020
WHAT IS IT?
COULD I MAKE A CAREER OF THIS?
WHO MAKES IT?
Made and built in Eastern Ontario
BURGUNDY: PMS 195 / 8B1E5F WARM GREY LIGHT: PMS 418 / 748C85 WARM GREY DARK: PMS 425 / 4C4E47 TEALE: PMS 7719 / 006C67 BLUE: PMS 299 / 0678B2 GREEN: PMS 356 / 46B549
‘‘
The program has been successful because it’s popular with students and industry. It exposes students to a wide variety of jobs and careers, many of which are currently in high need of workers – demand that will persist well into the future.” LYDIA HAMILTON,
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, OCDSB
Developing skills for real world careers Key Benefits:
Diploma with “Specialist” Designation • Relevant skill development through Experiential Learning • Industry Recognized Certifications • Innovation Creativity • Entrepreneurship Opportunities FOR STUDENTS
Explore your interests and discover rewarding career paths go to ocbsd.ca/chsm for more information on the SHSM programs available at your school.
FOR COMPANIES
Be a sector champion or a partner or coop placement with OCDSB, contact Lydia Hamilton at 613-596-8211 ext. 8575
CONTENT Made and built in Eastern Ontario
Published by Great River Media Publisher Terry Tyo Head of Content Peter Kovessy
MADE MadeAND andBUILT builtIN inEASTERN Eastern ONTARIO Ontario have the 6 You right stuff?
Photogaphy Mark Holleran Ted Simpson
Eastern Ontario’s manufacturing sector is thriving
Advertising Sean Seely Wendy Bailey Victoria Stewart
reasons to 7 Five consider a career in manufacturing
From wage gains to work/ Made life balance,and we give built you the in Eastern Ontario
28
rundown on the industry's biggest benefits
coolest things 8 The made in Eastern Ontario
Baseball bats, bomb disposal suits, biocrude and 29 more buzzworthy products
22
Making it in Eastern Ontario Manufacturers are stepping up to compete for talent, creating opportunities for a wide range of careers
Made and built in28 in construction Easter n Ontario Building a career
From the back office to trades, employers are rolling out the welcome mat
32 Additive manufacturing aims to show its metal
High-tech 3D printers are set to open up world of new opportunities for local firms [ 4 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Editorial Leo Valiquette Jim Donnelly Tom Taylor
Creative Direction/Production Regan Van Dusen Loreto Cheyne Lisa Georges
250 City Centre Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7 613-238-1818 STUFF Made and Built in Eastern Ontario is published by Great River Media. This publication contains information considered accurate at the time of printing. However, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Have ideas for 2020 STUFF or feedback on the issue, contact us at: Terry Tyo, 613-238-1818 ext 268 or terry@greatrivermedia.ca
16 things cooking in 36 Big food and beverage sector
From cured meats to kombucha, Eastern Ontario producers have a lot on their plate
Who's renovating 44 Centre Block? The country's largest heritage conservation project ever provides a host of opportunities for a wide range of workers
a cleaner 46 Creating planet
Green industries show massive growth potential, Eastern Ontario entrepreneurs say
76 Manufacturing 101 12
Eastern Ontario offers programs to prepare workers for practically every career in the trades
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 5 ]
Do you have the right stuff? Welcome to the inaugural issue of STUFF, a guide to the manufacturing and building industries in Eastern Ontario. We’ll explore these important and fast-growing sectors by answering three key questions: what is manufactured and built in Eastern Ontario, who’s making it and what kinds of careers are available? WHAT IS MADE HERE?
Did you know that more than 100 major and minor league baseball teams swing a bat made in Carleton Place? Did you know that a company in Lancaster powers video production for billions of viewers every day? In our feature story cool things made and built here you’ll discover that what is manufactured in our region is in fact pretty cool – vodka made from cows’ milk, optical equipment that helps guide spacecraft at the International Space Station and next-generation nuclear reactors are just a few examples (see page 8).
WHO IS MAKING IT?
Across Eastern Ontario, there are thousands of dynamic and innovative companies making and building “stuff,” many of them operating under the radar. They include small firms launched by local entrepreneurs, large corporations with Eastern Ontario operations that have made them market leaders worldwide and everything in between. In our sector profiles (page 32) we look at several of these companies – specifically in the 3D printing, environmental and food and beverage sectors – to illustrate some of the challenges manufacturers are facing and showcase the job opportunities available in those industries. The one thing all these companies have in common is a creative, talented workforce. Their success comes from building teams that combine traditional jobs on the build site, plant floor or back office with new technology-driven roles at R&D labs and engineering departments and on the jobsite or plant floor.
[ 6 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
With the combination of top-notch manufacturing facilities, cutting-edge technology and a highly skilled workforce, the towns and cities of Eastern Ontario offer very attractive options not only for job-seekers, but for business owners and investors.
CAN YOU MAKE A CAREER IN IT?
One of the most important functions of this magazine and the accompanying website is to answer this key question: can you make a career in the manufacturing industry? The answer is yes. The demand for talent is rising, and the opportunities are immediate. If you are a student or a jobseeker, take the time to consider manufacturing and building as a worthy career path. Manufacturers in Eastern Ontario need talent in a wide range of fields. They are looking for people who want to work with their hands and their heads, people who take great pride in the skills required for making “stuff” and those who want to be on the leading edge of the digital transformation. If you’re a student or job-seeker, we invite you to go to the recruiting section on page 48, where we’ll introduce you to some local companies that are hiring right now and share the stories of some of the young employees who are climbing the ladder at their workplaces. Thank you to our sponsors for making this project happen: the Ontario East Economic Development Commission, Ottawa Employment Hub, our partners at the City of Kingston, the City of Cornwall, the County of Renfrew, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, the Ottawa Catholic School Board and to the manufacturers and building companies who shared their stories. We invite you to connect with them.
Hope you enjoy the issue. Terry Tyo
Five reasons to consider a career in manufacturing BY LEO VALIQUETTE
From biofuels to bacon and bomb disposal suits, from nuclear science to natural skin care products and non-toxic firefighting gel, Eastern Ontario’s manufacturing sector is thriving. MANUFACTURERS NEED NEW TALENT
According to the Ontario East Economic Development Commission (OEEDC), there are some 65,000 people working in Eastern Ontario’s manufacturing sector and a large portion of them are reaching retirement age.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS SPAN THE SPECTRUM
From the plant floor to the back office and the R&D lab, the roles and opportunities for advancement are diverse. The Ottawa Employment Hub’s data illustrates that the skill level for the typical manufacturing job is roughly comparable to the average for Ottawa job sectors collectively, with about 30 per cent of roles requiring university education, 15 per cent requiring college/ vocational/apprenticeship training and the same percentage requiring secondary school and/or occupationalspecific training.
DEMAND FOR TALENT IS DRIVING WAGE GAINS Just look at the City of Ottawa alone. Labour market information compiled for 2017 and 2018 by the Ottawa Employment Hub reveals that in just one year:
The number of manufacturing jobs in Ottawa rose by 2.8 per cent to 19,338 The average salary in the sector rose by 2.5 per cent to $64,524, (compared to the Ontario average across all sectors of 2.5 per cent) The number of online job postings jumped by 44.4 per cent to 3,409.
The average salary in the sector rose by 2.5 per cent, to
$64,524
YOU CAN DEFINE YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Whether it's in the town and country or the big city, opportunities in manufacturing can be found all over Eastern Ontario. This gives you the freedom of choice to embrace whatever lifestyle works for you, your family and your budget.
BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Ontario as a whole is home to a top-notch manufacturing sector as well as a world-class technology industry. These two sectors are converging as manufacturers increasingly embrace smarter machines and automation to sharpen their competitive edge. A career in manufacturing is your opportunity to build cool things and work with the advanced technologies that are increasingly being used to build them. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 7 ]
[ 8 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
COOLEST THINGS MADE IN EASTERN ONTARIO
Baseballs were flying out of major league ballparks at a record pace in the 2019 season, but most people probably don’t realize that a good chunk of those home runs were propelled by bats made right here in Eastern Ontario. Over the last 20 years, a dozen big-league MVPs have wielded a SAM BAT, the first maple bat approved by Major League Baseball. SAM BATs are produced at a factory in Carleton Place, just west of Ottawa, and we think that’s pretty cool. And the lumber of choice for some of the world’s best ballplayers is just one of the many cool things that are manufactured around here every day. How about, for example, vodka made from milk. Milk? Yep. And an “exceptionally smooth” vodka, too, according to Almonte-based Dairy Distillery’s Omid McDonald, who took a dairy waste product called milk permeate and worked with University of Ottawa researchers to figure out a way to turn it into a top-notch spirit. Then there’s the high-tech soft body armour that protects law enforcement officials across North America against everything from bullets to blasts. It’s cutting-edge equipment, and it’s made in Arnprior by Pacific Safety Products. And that’s just the beginning. To get the scoop on these and 29 other really cool things that are made in Eastern Ontario, read on.
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 9 ]
SMALL REACTORS WITH BIG IMPACT, RENFREW COUNTY
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is building on Canada’s proud track record in the design, construction, licensing and operation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These are intended to deliver versatile clean-energy technology for carbonfree hydrogen production, electricity generation and industrial steam or heat applications in remote or off-grid locations. They incorporate new fuels, materials and designs for greater safety and efficiency at a lower cost compared to old reactor systems.
DINOSAURS, TRENTON
Well, castings of them, but still, the cool factor is irrefutable. Research Casting International of Trenton accommodates museum exhibit projects and commissions of any size and complexity. The team has built more than 700 pieces over the past 30 years, with its work featured in exhibits from Japan to China, Australia to Belgium. Clients include the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Natural History Museum in London, U.K. [ 10 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
CUTTING EDGE VIDEO PRODUCTION, IROQUOIS AND OTTAWA
For the 2018 Super Bowl, Ross Video partnered with NBC Sports on “volumetric augmented reality,” a process that saw 3D renderings of key players appear in graphics during the game. It’s just one of many cool applications possible thanks to Ross Video’s switcher equipment, which powers video productions for billions of viewers daily. It all began 45 years ago in the small town of Iroquois with a $3,500 investment. EXTREME MOBILE WATER TREATMENT, BROCKVILLE
In July 2013, the Lac Mégantic rail disaster in Quebec killed 42 people and dumped 1.5 million gallons of crude oil in the centre of town. Newterra rose to the challenge with two mobile water treatment systems to remediate the site. The monumental task took almost 18 months. Each newterra system, packaged in a 40-inch sea container, is built in Brockville. These redeployable systems have more than 10,000 installations worldwide.
WI-FI SPEAKERS FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM, RENFREW COUNTY
THE ORIGINAL MAPLE BASEBALL BAT, CARLETON PLACE
The Original Maple Bat Corp. is home of the SAM BAT, the first maple bat used by Major League Baseball players back in 1997. Thanks to the SAM BAT, maple has come to supplant ash as the wood of choice in the major leagues. It all began over a beer at Ottawa’s Mayflower Pub, when founder Sam Holman was challenged to address MLB’s problem with breaking too many ash bats.
The Ottawa Valley’s history in logging left piles of quality old-growth timber at the bottom of the Ottawa River, so why not reclaim it to make a premium Wi-Fi speaker? The founders of Riverwood Acoustics combined their expertise in electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as woodworking, to create the Hudson, a “hand-crafted acoustic masterpiece.” These hand-assembled speakers have attracted enthusiastic support from audiophiles across North America.
BOMB DISPOSAL SUITS AND ROBOTS, OTTAWA
Med-Eng has been protecting military personnel, first responders and humanitarian deminers around the world for decades as they risk their lives to carry out one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable. Odds are, you’ve seen Med-Eng's bomb disposal suits and robots featured in TV shows and Hollywood movies such as The Hurt Locker. MedEng’s products also include search and detection gear and seats and systems for vehicles to ensure crew survivability. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 11 ]
VODKA … FROM MILK, ALMONTE
Fine vodka … made from cow’s milk. That’s the idea Dairy Distillery founder Omid McDonald had to repurpose milk permeate. The disposal cost for this waste product composed mostly of lactose (milk sugar) is a burden on dairy farmers. McDonald and his team worked with the University of Ottawa’s biology department to come up with a custom yeast that could ferment lactose. The result is an “exceptionally smooth vodka.”
THE MOST SOPHISTICATED VISION SYSTEM IN SPACE, OTTAWA
Neptec Design Group (now part of MDA and Maxar) has long been a NASA prime contractor. Its latest flagship project is a contract from the Canadian Space Agency to design and build the Dextre Deployable Visions System (DDVS) for the International Space Station. Mounted on an external arm, the DDVS will carry out critical damage inspection and act like an airport control tower to guide approaching spacecraft as they arrive to dock. COLD HARD CASH … AND MORE, OTTAWA
Canadian Bank Note Co. has printed Canada’s legal tender since the 1890s. Today, its team of 1,500 serves customers in 80 countries, with products that range from border security software to lottery and gaming management services. In July, its CBN Nano Technologies unit received a $40-million federal investment to incorporate more security features based on nanotechnology – such as imbedding into a polymer bill a material that will change colour when squeezed. [ 12 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
A GUITAR PEDAL LIKE NO OTHER, OTTAWA
When Kim Mitchell, Elvis Costello, Mike Turner of Our Lady Peace and Lady Gaga’s Rick Tillo are using your guitar pedals, odds are you’ve made it in the music industry. In 2005, Empress Effects founder Steve Bragg used his electrical engineering talents to make a custom tremolo for a friend. By the time he finished it, his friend had bought another, so he tried selling it at a used instruments store. They wanted 10 more. The rest is history.
BIOCRUDE FROM PLANTS, RENFREW COUNTY
Climate change is dominating news headlines more than ever these days, but the team at Ensyn began to pioneer a carbon-reduced future back in 1984. Ensyn produces a biocrude from forest and agricultural residues. This biocrude is used to produce food ingredients, natural chemicals and heating fuels. Ensyn is now expanding its market to supply conventional refineries with low-carbon feedstocks in an application known as refinery co-processing.
RADIATION DETECTION BY BUBBLE, CHALK RIVER (RENFREW COUNTY)
Who would have thought that a “bubble” could protect against terrorist attacks? With its unique neutron bubble detectors for radiation and explosives, Bubble Technology Industries is doing just that. Its detectors are used at Super Bowls, World Series games, the Olympics and space missions, as well as major political events such as U.S. presidential inaugurations. Clients include DND, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy, NATO and NASA.
SOLAR-POWERED WILDLIFE WARNINGS, KINGSTON
Solar Signals has been in the business of designing and manufacturing remote site power, and signal and signage systems for more than 20 years. This includes the solar-powered wildlife road hazard signal, which can warn motorists when wildlife is venturing near the road. This reduces the odds of death and property damage from collisions. Solar Signals also designs outdoor motiondetection alarm systems to protect against vandalism and theft.
NON-TOXIC FIREFIGHTING GEL, NAPANEE
The FireRein team has created Eco-Gel, the world’s first and only 100 per cent bio-sourced and food-grade water additive to combat fires in place of chemical foams. When added to a stream of water, the non-toxic gel clings to any surface, so fires can be extinguished faster and with less water. That protects the environment, is safer for firefighters and makes site cleanup and restoration after the fire less of a challenge.
GIVING SOLDIERS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE, KANATA
Kwesst allows Canadian military personnel and their allies to take faster and more effective action on the battlefield with precision target identification and acquisition from a safer distance. Its add-on sensors can be attached to firearms and mortars to pinpoint precisely where a projectile will strike a target and display that impact point on a digital map on a soldier’s android device. They can even get an accurate bead on targets behind cover.
HEAVY METAL FOR DIRTY JOBS, LINDSAY
TS Manufacturing has been designing, manufacturing and installing systems for the sawmill and lumber handling, mining and aggregate, and biomass and pelletization industries for more than 40 years. The company began as a small equipment manufacturing business for Canadian sawmills in 1972. Today, TS’s equipment is installed on six continents. One notable example are its big belt conveyers that move ore from the “mining pit to the ship.” STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 13 ]
A BETTER FIRE TRUCK, VARS/EMBRUN
Who else would you turn to for a better fire truck than a former firefighter? Luc Thibault founded Battleshield Industries in 2012 as an equipment supplier and refurbisher of fire apparatus. In 2016, the company began designing and building its own fire trucks – pumpers, rescue pumpers, pumper tankers, tankers and rescue units. Today, Battleshield works with fire departments and municipalities throughout Eastern Canada as their “fire equipment one-stop shop.” A FOUNDATION THAT’S FLOOD-PROOF, ARNPRIOR
Over the past 50 years, Triodetic has been recognized internationally for the design and construction of space-frames, domes, shell and free-form structures. During this year’s spring floods, the company made local headlines when it showcased its "multipoint foundation." This is made of interlocking tubes that make it easy and affordable to elevate, or build, a home or cottage above even record flood levels … so long as you can do without a basement.
[ 14 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
THE WORLD’S SMALLEST DNA ANALYZER, OTTAWA
In 2015, a small Ottawa company beat a host of global rivals to create the first hand-held device that can capture and test DNA instantly. Spartan Bioscience’s Spartan Cube, only about the size of a coffee mug, allows pharmacies, doctor’s offices and other health-care organizations to conduct DNA testing cheaper and faster. Tests to date include screens for the genetic mutation associated with Alzheimer’s and tests for the presence of legionella bacteria in commercial HVAC systems.
65 YEARS OF AVIATION EXCELLENCE, ARNPRIOR In 1954, Arnprior Aerospace put a small town northwest of the nation’s capital on the map for aviation. Today, the 165,000-squarefoot facility is engaged in design, close tolerance, fabrication, precision machining, special processing, assembly, kitting and integration of products. Among the cool things built there are parts for the rudder and elevator of Boeing’s 777X, touted as the world's largest and most efficient twin-engine commercial airplane.
YARN TO STAKE YOUR LIFE ON, CORNWALL
What do a firehose, a tactical vest and a rope to tether a cargo ship have in common? They all require highperformance yarns that are made to last under the toughest conditions. Since 1990, Seaway Yarns has continued to expand in the Cornwall area, manufacturing industrial and technical spun and monofilament yarns that are used in the aerospace, firefighting, military and automotive sectors.
SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS THAT WON’T MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL, BRIGHTON
PREMIUM ARTISAN CHOCOLATE, BELLEVILLE A family tradition three generations strong that began 80 years ago in Italy arrived in Belleville in 1979. Since then, Donini Chocolate has carved its own sweet niche specializing in dark chocolate creations with the finest European recipes, in the tradition of Belgian and Swiss chocolatiers. One specialty is creating chocolate products that pair well with different Ontario wines. Donini also ships tanker trucks full of warm liquid chocolate to customers in Toronto and Quebec.
Rocia Naturals began in 2008 as a homebased business when founder Jacqueline Maybee took matters into her own hands to deal with her family's allergic reactions to conventional health and beauty products that contained synthetic ingredients and fillers. Today, Rocia Naturals’ synthetic-free, biodegradable and organic skin-care products and cosmetics are manufactured in its Belleville facility and shipped to retail partners across the province. Products are even gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
PAVING THAT LEAKS LIKE A SIEVE, OTTAWA
But that’s a good thing. At a time when we face increased risk of flooding, pavement through which water can drain instead of just run off can substantially reduce risk of property damage. The team at PurePave has developed a premium paving and coating system that is highly permeable and made for Canadian winters. More attractive than asphalt, cheaper than interlocking bricks, it doesn’t shift or crack or allow weeds to sprout.
INSTEAD OF A CUBICLE, A POD, KINGSTON
SnapCab has grown from a manufacturer of elevator panel interiors into a maker of premium workspace pods. These range from private phone booths for the office to mobile and standalone workspaces on wheels for small teams. It is the only “pod” company that is UL Listed – the highest safety standard. SnapCab has partnered with Steelcase, one of the world’s largest furniture manufacturers, and counts Amazon, General Motors and Microsoft among its customers. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 15 ]
A NEW URBAN LINK, ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET, OTTAWA
The Flora Footbridge across the Rideau Canal in midtown Ottawa opened in June 2019. The five-metre-wideby-123-metre-long linear multi-use pedestrian and cyclist bridge is supported on V columns on two new piers in the canal. Engineers worked to create an elegant and slender design appropriate to its surroundings. All three levels of government contributed to the $21-million price tag, while contractor Pomerleau did the work. Due to surrounding soils having poor load-bearing capacities, large steel H-beams had to be driven 30 metres deep to reach bedrock. Crews also had to manage the construction schedule and the delivery and removal of materials in an area with high volumes of vehicular, cycling and pedestrian traffic. Since the Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and an active waterway for boaters), the construction project also required special permits and co-ordination with Parks Canada. Despite these challenges, the footbridge opened ahead of schedule and on budget, too. [ 16 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
INNOVATIVE FACTORY AUTOMATION, KINGSTON
BOJAK Manufacturing designs, builds and installs end-to-end factory automation systems, including automatic guided vehicles, paint lines, kitting, automatic trailer loading and custom manufacturing. These guys engineer the systems many of the rest of the manufacturers on this list can use to get the job done as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible.
WORLD’S LARGEST STEEL DENTAL BURR MAKER, MORRISBURG What’s a dental burr? If you have ever been in the dentist’s chair facing a drill, you know all too well. Consider it a premium disposable drill bit, designed for that fine precision work on teeth and bone. While it is now owned by multinational KAVO Kerr, the 72-year-old Beavers Dental operation in Morrisburg remains a world leader in its niche.
AN ECG FOR THE PRODUCTION LINE, OTTAWA
Decades before “Industry 4.0” and “Industrial Internet of Things” became trendy terms, Sciemetric worked with manufacturers to figure out how process and test data from a production line could be used to boost quality and efficiency. Today, its sigPOD process monitoring system leads the industry for in-process testing to catch defects when they happen on the line and prevent new ones. Customers include automakers, heavy equipment makers and medical device makers.
THE ULTIMATE WATER JET, OTTAWA
What if water could safely do the job of costly and toxic products and processes to strip off old industrial coatings, safely dispose of landmines or even remedy radioactive contamination? Under founder Dr. Mohan Vijay, VLN Advanced Technologies has developed a unique Pulse Water Jet that can do all these things. After 15 years of dogged effort, the firm's big break came in 2015 with a contract from aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
SOFT ARMOUR THAT HAS YOUR BACK, ARNPRIOR A decade ago, Pacific Safety Products shifted its headquarters from B.C. to Kanata to take advantage of local engineering and management talent. It already operated its manufacturing facility in Arnprior and commanded the Canadian market as a supplier to law enforcement. PSP now sells its high-performance soft body armour to clients across North America. From bullets to blasts to knives, PSP has its customers covered.
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 17 ]
ONTARIO EAST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Want a stable career with great pay? Look no further than manufacturing – the engine that drives our economy. People who work in manufacturing use science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) to solve problems and create products, while making great money.
Engineering professionals Machinists and tooling inspectors Information technology (IT) professionals
How much money will I make?
What would I do every day?
What training will I need?
$46,000 - $120,000 per year
Problem solve with STEM Design robots Lab research Build machines
A four-year engineering undergraduate degree. To be a professional engineer, you need four years of supervised work
Machinists: $48,600 per year
Use tools such as mills, drills and lathes to bring parts to life Use math to program high-tech tools
A four-year apprenticeship to get your certification.
Build software platforms Write code to control robots
A college or university degree in computer science, or a related programming discipline.
Tooling inspectors: $74,050 per year $60,000 - $80,000 per year
1 blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-jobs-profile-engineering-professionals 2 blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-job-profiles-machinist-and-tooling-inspector 3 blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-jobs-information-technology-professionals [ 18 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Three reasons to think outside the big city box As a recent grad you’re expected to find a good job and settle down. But you’re also probably feeling a little adventurous and rebellious, too. Many grads feel the natural urge to choose a new path for themselves and might be eyeing the big city as the place to do it. But rent and housing prices in urban centres such as Toronto continue to skyrocket as commute times get longer and longer, making your adventurous aspirations difficult. Here’s what we mean: $1,492/month: The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the GTA. $1,283,981: The average selling price of a detached home in Toronto’s 416 area code. 1 in 4: The number of people in Toronto and Montreal who face a commute of 45 minutes or more. Avoid the high cost of living in big cities Rebel against the accepted norms of life in a major city. Don’t spend your time commuting and dreaming of the house you wish you could afford. Instead, find a job in eastern Ontario with the region’s more reasonable cost of living. You can work in exciting tech-centric professions, such as robotics, computing, fabricating and engineering while putting your salary towards the life and hobbies of your dreams.
You still have access to big-city convenience, as well as plenty of outdoor space for adventures with resources such as: 1000s of shops, restaurants, and businesses 9 post-secondary institutions 15 provincial parks
Eastern Ontario is the province’s best-kept secret to giving you a head start in work and life.
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 19 ]
ONTARIO EAST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
How to attract the next generation to manufacturing The biggest problem manufacturers face in coming years is attracting a new generation of talent to the industry. The solution is to meet the next generation where they are: social media and school. Consider hosting a student participating in a local secondary or post-secondary school’s co-op program to show young job seekers the options in manufacturing Take to social media and proudly display: The value of manufacturing work Your company’s culture Profiles of employees and their daily tasks Leverage Instagram to connect with future employees Take a page from the Machining Center’s (@themachiningcenter) playbook and [ 20 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
use social media to attract the talent you want to work with. The eastern Ontario company used social media, specifically Instagram, to share their company culture. In doing so, not only has TMC hired talent through connections made via Instagram, but TMC also attracted
the top two students from the industry program at Loyalist College.
A plan for the future of manufacturing The manufacturing industry is a pillar of the eastern Ontario economy, employing more than 65,000 skilled workers in the region. As the Baby Boomer generation leaves the workforce and technology, AI and automation change the landscape of work, strategies and planning must be put in place to address predicted workforce shortages in the industry. The Eastern Ontario Manufacturing Workforce Development Project (EOMWDP) was created to address these challenges. To maximize the available pool of skilled workers, the goals of the EOMWDP are to: Predict and address labour shortages; Promote education and training in the region that supports jobs in manufacturing;
The manufacturing industry employs more than 65,000 skilled workers in the region. Educate youth and parents about the high-tech careers in manufacturing; Showcase the excellent quality of life in eastern Ontario for employees; Empower business owners and managers with strategies to attract top talent; and Maximize the positive perception of manufacturing.
FIND OUT WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR YOUR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS If you’re looking to improve your industry, workforce attraction strategy or training
platforms, you can find the EOMWDP online at blog.ontarioeast.ca or contact us at workforcedevelopment@ontarioeast.ca. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 21 ]
Ingrid Argyle is project manager at the Hub, the provincially and federally funded Local Employment Planning Council for the Ottawa area. She notes that even traditional manufacturing organizations are now using more advanced technology than in the past and require more skilled tradespeople as a result. PHOTO BY TED SIMPSON
MAKING IT IN EASTERN ONTARIO Why job-seekers should consider manufacturing a worthy career path BY LEO VALIQUETTE
A
fter a hockey scholarship took Ryan Lowe to the U.S. for his business degree, he returned home to Eastern Ontario to settle down into his first job. His performance soon had his bosses talking promotion. But by then, the prospect of a daily grind in suit and tie behind a desk had already lost its appeal. So, Lowe decided to start over – from the bottom. A few years ago, he took a job closer to home as a general labourer with M CON Products, a manufacturer of pre-cast concrete products for water and sewer infrastructure in the rural Ottawa community of Carp. “I would rather put my work boots on and feel I am accomplishing something with my hands (rather) than sitting at a computer desk all day,” he said. Within a few months, Lowe’s initiative and leadership
[ 22 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
skills had earned him a promotion to run one of the manufacturing processes in the M CON Products plant. Within a year, he had implemented his own efficiency improvements and doubled production. That earned him a shot at a role critical to M CON Products’ daily operations – yard supervisor. After taking the reins from his retired predecessor, Lowe is now responsible for managing a product inventory that covers 34 acres as well as the shipping and logistics to get it out the gate. “At the end of the day, when you see these large structures going out on trucks and going to job sites and knowing you had a part … it’s a rewarding experience,” he said. “You were part of making this product, and when you see it on the side of a road or highway with that M CON stamp, it puts a little smile on your face … it is a pretty cool feeling.”
A COMMON PASSION
creating opportunities for individuals switching paths mid-career and even more so for the growing cohort of young people completing high school or their post-secondary education.
“I moved with my family to the Cornwall area for a work opportunity,” he said. “I decided some time after to start my own company in the community that welcomed me and my family.”
“Eastern Ontario is competing with the rest of Canada, the U.S. and the rest of the world for talent,” said Dylan Boles, executive director of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission. “We are very well positioned to take advantage of the future of manufacturing with increased automation, but we must do our best to attract the talent necessary to make that happen.” Labour market information for the City of Ottawa compiled for 2017 and 2018 by the Ottawa Employment Hub demonstrates the growth and opportunity that exists in the manufacturing sector across Eastern Ontario:
At Laminacorr in Cornwall, Guy Robichaud started at the bottom by launching his own company and shares a similar passion for making stuff.
Laminacorr, a corrugated plastics manufacturer, made the 2018 list of Canada’s 500 fastest-growing companies in Canadian Business Magazine. Last year, the firm doubled the size of its Cornwall production facility, which has allowed it to create new opportunities in upper management and other specialized roles. Laminacorr might not be a large multinational in a major city, but that hasn’t prevented it from making every effort to be a sought-after employer with competitive compensation packages to ensure it can attract the top talent it needs for success. Take Laframboise Group. Over the past 55 years, it has built a strong North American business in industrial fabrication, construction maintenance and shutdown services in Eastern Ontario. Despite facing challenges such as volatile exchange rates and trade disputes between Canada and its neighbour to the south, the company continues to prosper. “By far our growth has been on the U.S. side, especially the last few years,” said operations manager Brian Abraham. “The Americans are investing heavily in themselves to develop industries that not so long ago were taken off shore.”
NUMBERS THAT DON’T LIE
As Canada’s overall unemployment rate continues to hover around 5.5 per cent, industry sectors across the board are in a heated war to attract fresh blood. Manufacturers are stepping up to compete for talent,
Career-minded individuals eager to take pride in making stuff, entrepreneurs who want to build their own business with that Made in Canada stamp – these are the people and the stories that continue to drive a thriving, and diverse, manufacturing sector in Eastern Ontario.
The number of manufacturing jobs in Ottawa rose by
2.8 % to 19,338
The average salary in the sector rose by
2.5%
to $64,524 (compared with the Ontario average across all sectors of 2.5 per cent)
The number of online job postings jumped by
44.4 % to 3,409
The story between the lines is clear – demand for manufacturing talent is rising. cont’d on page 25 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 23 ]
Online Job Postings in Manufacturing* Communications equipment manufacturing
19%
Navigational, measuring, medical and control instruments manufacturing
17%
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
11%
Cement and concrete manufacturing
10%
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing
9%
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
6%
Printing and related support activities
6%
Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
4%
Other miscellaneous manufacturing
4%
Electrical equipment manufacturing
3%
Cut and sew clothing manufacturing
3%
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SMALL TOWN, BIG TALENT
S
ince the 1970s, Ross Video has built a global business for its video production switching equipment from its home base in the small town of Iroquois near the St. Lawrence River. While the company relocated its core R&D operations to Ottawa to draw on a deeper pool of engineering talent, Iroquois remains its primary manufacturing hub. “The interest and work ethic in that community is excellent,” said Jeff Poapst, Ross Video’s senior vice-president of manufacturing and services. Shifting manufacturing off-shore never made strategic sense for Ross Video. Keeping production and R&D within an hour’s drive of each other has given the company its competitive edge. “That advantage of cost (from outsourcing) disappears quickly because of the distance it puts between the development and manufacturing side,” Poapst said. “We need that exchange to create better products, more feature-reach products, faster.”
Curtis Patrick, a certified manufacturing process support specialist at Ross Video, found the ideal opportunity to take advantage of his university education and his interest in quality assurance. About 18 months ago, Patrick graduated from Brock University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and co-op studies in operations management. By the time he graduated, he found himself gravitating toward supply chain and quality management and responded to a job posting at Ross Video. Today he works at the Iroquois manufacturing facility. “There are so many different opportunities for a career path and to be involved with all the different projects that are going on with the company’s growth,” he said. “Having pride in your work, being in a company that has a really great culture where people are happy and excited to come to work makes for a great work environment.”
cont’d from page 23
DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
PLANT Magazine’s Manufacturers’ Outlook 2019 survey garnered responses from 501 senior manufacturing executives from across Canada, two-thirds of whom represent small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Forty-six per cent of them identified finding talent as a priority for the next three years.
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDANTS
THE KEY POSITIONS WHICH THESE MANUFACTURERS SAY THEY ARE EAGER TO FILL EXTEND FAR BEYOND GENERAL LABOUR TO INCLUDE: PRODUCTION AND SUPPORT
36%
SALES MARKETING/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT
32%
ENGINEERING
23%
MANAGEMENT
23%
R&D
18%
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Employment Hub’s labour market data illustrates that the skill level needed for a typical manufacturing job is roughly comparable to the average for Ottawa’s job sectors collectively, with about 30 per cent of roles requiring university education, 15 per cent requiring college/vocational/apprenticeship training and the same percentage requiring secondary school and/or occupational-specific training. Ingrid Argyle is project manager at the Hub, the provincially and federally funded Local Employment Planning Council for the Ottawa area. She notes that even traditional manufacturing organizations are now using more advanced technology than in the past and require more skilled tradespeople as a result. While menial jobs are still common in manufacturing, Argyle says it’s important to understand that there is a diversity of roles that call for varying skillsets and qualifications. “I think we as a society, when (influencing) career choices, have to be careful not to define success for other people,” she said. “With things constantly changing in the world of work, I think manufacturing is a sector the straddles the old and the new and can offer opportunities to a wide variety of workers.”
Online Job Postings in Manufacturing* (cont’d)
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
2%
Agricultural, construction and mining machinery manufacturing
2%
Beverage manufacturing
*Local Employment Planning Council Ottawa Postings 2017
2%
All other industry groups
2%
PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR TALENT
In PLANT Magazine’s Manufacturers’ Outlook 2019, Shawn Casemore, president of the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium in Owen Sound, summed up the need for job-seekers to take a fresh look at manufacturing as a career path as the number and variety of available positions continues to rise across the province and employers invest in new technologies:
“We want to get to the teachers and guidance counsellors, to let folks experience and see that a manufacturing facility is not the dingy place that their parents maybe once said it was. There’s a lot of automation technology happening, and a plant would be a pretty cool place to work.” STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 25 ]
COUNTY OF RENFREW
A lifestyle t suit your wild side >
or mild
County of Renfrew offers a dynamic mix of careers and outdoor adventure
Located in the Upper Ottawa Valley, Renfrew County straddles the past and the future. Reminders abound of the region’s frontier roots in logging and the fur trade, while nuclear science and technology R&D is a major business sector. A broad mix of advanced manufacturing and modern wood products companies anchor a diverse economy. This mix of the historic and modern makes Renfrew County a great place in which to live and work for anyone who also enjoys outdoor adventure. There is something for everyone, from white-water rafting, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, skiing, snowmobiling and mountain biking to tamer diversions for those who just want to find some peace and quiet in nature. [ 26 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
The best of small town and rural living not far from Ottawa, in an area of pristine lakes, rivers, farms and forests – that’s the image which Alastair Baird, head of Renfrew County’s economic development department, is always eager to promote.
All of which means job seekers can find plenty of long-term career opportunities in the area. Housing prices and rental costs in Renfrew County are much lower than in major urban areas, a great benefit to employees and first-time home buyers.
A ‘special quality of life’
Renfrew County’s advantages recently drew the attention of American valueadded wood products manufacturer Roseburg Forest Products. In 2018, the Oregon-based company made its first international expansion by acquiring a local medium density fibreboard (MDF) factory. Roseburg is investing $15 million in plant upgrades and new equipment to make the facility more efficient and to make overall operations cleaner and more sustainable.
“We have a special quality of life here that’s allowed Renfrew County to grow a diverse economy around manufacturing, sciences, aerospace and defence, agribusiness, tourism and media,” he said. “Our employers draw partners, suppliers and customers from just down the road in Ottawa, from across North America and around the world.” These industries all benefit from a healthy supply of well-priced industrial land and buildings, low development charges, a skilled labour force, proximity to major markets and a municipal economic development team that’s dedicated to helping businesses launch, expand and relocate to the Ottawa Valley. Airports in Arnprior and Petawawa add to the efficient road and highway network connecting Renfrew County to global markets.
A home for entrepreneurship
Ben Seaman, founder of Riverwood Acoustics, is a local resident and entrepreneur who wouldn’t be anywhere else. A former aerospace engineer, he and his partners are growing a unique business – premium Wi-Fi speakers made with local timber reclaimed from the bottom of the Ottawa River.
DID YOU KNOW? • Ensyn Technologies, in the Town of Renfrew, is a world leader in the production of sustainable green bio oil from wood fibre residuals with its Rapid Thermal Process reactors. Sourced from Renfrew County forests and mills, Ensyn bio oil replaces fossil fuels in building heating systems and is a renewable feedstock for gasoline and diesel.
“Renfrew County has a strong talent pool, coupled with low cost to set up that will help control your most critical item – burn rate,” Seaman said. “Businesses have no local boundaries anymore and can sell online, so why not locate where you can contain your capital spend while driving revenues up? And it’s really not that far to Ottawa for a meeting, or even Toronto. There are also great local programs that assist with business start-up.”
Help wanted
Want to learn more about living and working in Renfrew county, what career opportunities are available and how to tap into local business support services? Visit www.investrenfrewcounty.ca or contact us at 1-800-273-0183.
• Exporters to the World- Valley Bio is a leader in the emerging industrial hemp market and pedigreed seed. Glasshouse Botanics produces medical marijuana for the European healthcare market. Thoth Technologies provides earth ground station service to space flight operations and spacecraft instrumentation. • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories continues to support nuclear and the broader science and technology industry in Canada, and has spun off ventures such as Bubble Technology Industries with its homeland security solutions. CNL is currently undergoing a massive $800-million transformation and renewal. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 27 ]
OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSTRUCTION RIVAL THOSE OF MANUFACTURING From the back office to trades, employers are rolling out the welcome mat
BY LEO VALIQUETTE
E
ric Holland long dreamed of parlaying his love of history into a university professorship. On the other hand, “as a person who loves history, I do appreciate craftsmanship and working with my hands,” he adds, which has also led him to consider pursuing heritage carpentry. The professorship might still be in the cards—he entered graduate school last fall. To pay for school, he has turned more in that skilled trades direction by joining the team at Kingston’s Environmentall Contracting Services (ECSI). As a restoration technician with ECSI, Holland works to undo
[ 28 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
the damage done by fires, floods and other culprits. It hasn’t taken long for Holland to appreciate the career opportunities that exist should he decide to take this path rather than become an academic. “I’m working with my hands now, but that doesn’t mean this industry doesn’t have positions in the future that make use of my communications skills and that kind of thing,” he says. Over the past 10 years, ECSI has built a thriving business in the Kingston area and expanded to Ottawa and the GTA with private- and public-sector
clients for its environmental, construction and demolition services. It has put a big emphasis on wooing young people like Holland to support its growth. “Over the past five years, we made a decision that we can’t just sit and wait for the person who may be best suited for the position,” says president Eric Dinelle. That has led Dinelle and his team to aggressively pursue new hires and emphasize a corporate culture that creates the opportunity for individuals to rise to the occasion and grow into a role through inhouse mentorship and training.
PHOTOS BY HOLLERON PHOTOGRAPHY
The same approach is evident at M CON Products, a manufacturer of pre-cast concrete products for water and sewer infrastructure based in the rural Ottawa community of Carp. M CON Products is a manufacturer that supports the construction industry, as opposed to a construction company, but its need and desire to attract the best and brightest talent is the same. Just ask administration and customer service representative Jean Toomey. In addition to managing much of the back-office tasks for the company, she also works closely with management to constantly improve M CON Products’ operations as the company invests in new technologies and implements lean manufacturing principles.
“People know we do concrete, but few people know in-depth all that we do here … we are continually improving our processes and our technology to stay ahead of the game,” she says. “Every time I go down to the plant, I am just blown away. I see something new all the time.” It’s not where she expected to be while attending York University to obtain her degree in communications and fine arts, but now she wouldn’t consider a job anywhere else. “Once I was in the door, I knew pretty
quickly I wanted to stay,” Toomey says. “It is an excellent company to work for.” Environmentall and M CON Products are typical of firms under the umbrella of Eastern Ontario’s construction industry that recognize the importance of rolling out the welcome mat for job-seekers looking to learn and advance, whether in the skilled trades or other disciplines. According to the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS), a not-for-profit organization that represents the province’s unionized construction industry, an estimated 91,000 construction workers in Ontario are expected to retire over the next decade. Each year, OCS surveys 500 industrial, commercial and institutional construction firms across the province, including unionized and non-unionized shops. The need to address the looming labour shortage remains a priority for survey respondents. Meanwhile, labour market information compiled for 2017 and 2018 by the provincially funded Ottawa Employment Hub reveals that five-year job growth in the city’s construction industry continues to outpace the provincial and national averages, at 18.7 per cent versus 12.2 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively. Employers have come to realize they must think outside the box, says Jason Burggraaf, executive director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association. The message for
job-seekers is clear – now is a great time to consider the construction industry and the skilled trades as a career path, where you can have a direct impact on building cleaner and greener communities for the future. “GOHBA has made it a strategic priority to promote skilled trades as a first-choice career,” Burggraaf says. “If you’re interested in energy efficiency, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or affordable housing, then being a skilled tradesperson gives you the opportunity to have an impact.” STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 29 ]
CITY OF CORNWALL
Give your family and career room to breathe From manufacturing to logistics and food processing, Cornwall's employers are hungry for talent. Cornwall is a thriving Eastern Ontario city that has evolved from its United Empire Loyalist roots into a modern economy anchored by forward-thinking companies. But it has one pressing challenge – a lack of people.
“There are simply more jobs than people – we’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bob Peters, division manager at Cornwall Economic Development. “Job opportunities are coming fast and furious and span a variety of occupations, skillsets and experience levels.” Cornwall’s challenges are a result of successful efforts over the past 15 years to attract new investment. The city’s strategic location – in addition to low electricity rates, affordable commercial land and low housing costs – has created one of the strongest economies in Ontario.
A growing hub for multinational companies
Today, Cornwall is a growing hub for warehousing, transportation and logistics and well as the light industrial and manufacturing activities that have always been its mainstay. Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and the Benson Group operate large distribution centres, while Olymel and Leclerc have established state-of-the-art food processing facilities. These and a host of other employers in the area now find themselves in dire need of talent to fill vacancies that
It’s becoming harder and harder for people to manage the cost of living in larger cities, especially when they decide it’s time to start a family. Cornwall continues to offer more amenities and a rich social scene. When that big-city lifestyle loses its lustre, this is the place to come.” BRIAN ABRAHAM, OPERATIONS MANAGER, LAFRAMBOISE GROUP
• Laframboise Group started in the Cornwall area in 1964 with six employees. Today, it has about 400 employees with mechanical, structural and electrical/instrumentation divisions that serve customers in both Canada and the U.S. For operations manager Brian Abraham, choosing Cornwall is all about lifestyle.
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10 REASONS TO WORK, LIVE AND PLAY IN CORNWALL 1 Housing prices are among the most affordable in Ontario 2 Wide variety of employment opportunities 3 The amenities of a big city, without the headaches 4 A bilingual and multicultural community 5 Hundreds of acres of scenic waterfront parks with dedicated recreational trails include skilled tradespeople, health-care professionals, truckers, managers, supervisors and technicians.
employers are creating opportunities to build careers and advance in growing sectors of our economy.”.
For Peters and his team, it’s vital to reach recent graduates, newcomers to Canada and anyone else looking for a change from big city living.
A list of current employment opportunities can be found on ChooseCornwall.ca.
“Cornwall offers the chance to raise a family without having to worry about a crippling mortgage or deal with a long commute every day,” Peters said. “Our
6 A vibrant arts scene along with top-notch shopping and dining 7 Excellent schools, including St. Lawrence College and skills training programs 8 A full-service community hospital and modern healthcare services 9 Public transit, 400-series highway, daily inter-city bus and rail service 10 Modern fitness facilities, organized sports, world-class golf STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 31 ]
As a manufacturing expert, Martin Lavoie likely never expected to get into the veterinary business. But the co-founder of Creadditive, a Gatineau-based 3D design and manufacturing company, says that’s just one of the things he’s now doing thanks to the nearly limitless possibilities of his core product.
A PROTOTYPE OF MANUFACTURING IN OTTAWA BY JIM DONNELLY
[ 32 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
“We’ve been working recently with veterinary surgeons in Colorado, designing a veterinary implant for dogs that have a certain type of bone cancer,” explains Lavoie, also a founder of the Canada Makes manufacturing network. His company specializes in reproducing high-value objects to conserve the architecture of heritage buildings, and its projects have included reproducing plaster and concrete mouldings and ornaments for Parliament Hill’s West Block. But the versatility of 3D design and manufacturing – also known as additive manufacturing – means Creadditive doesn’t have to stick to just one vertical. For example, it makes veterinary implants that can be designed and created from a pet’s CT scan, resulting in less expensive one-time fabrication – not to mention perfectly fitted devices and shorter surgeries.
with about 2,000 users per year, mostly on prototyping projects. The makerspace’s list of local clients includes Saint-Vincent Hospital and the Ottawa Police Service. But Anis says metals-based 3D printers are becoming more affordable as the technology becomes more mainstream. “The original 3D printers were great for prototyping and not for durability, but things are evolving quickly,” she says, adding that companies such as Markforged and Desktop Metal are
But while a large amount of design and prototyping work takes place in Ottawa, he says the printing of metallic parts doesn’t happen here – yet. That’s one reason why Bayview Yards vice-president of marketing and communications Sonya Shorey says the facility is assessing its current services with an eye to potentially adding technology such as metal printers. The lab has worked with local firms such as AirShare and Mirror Vision Technologies and collaborates with larger prototyping and EMS companies such as
If we were able to get access to a metal part earlier in the process because we can 3D print it (in the region), we’d be able to cut our prototyping time down substantially.
The only problem? Because the implants CYRIL MCKELVIE are made from titanium, Lavoie needs to go outside the region to get them printed. Most 3D printers – including all such devices in Ottawa and Eastern developing less expensive Ontario – use plastic materials. metal printers. Lavoie says the region holds its own Researchers such as Prof. Bertrand in terms of design and prototyping Jodoin are at the forefront of metalscapability. Along with local companies based additive manufacturing such as Creadditive and Design 1st, technology. The founder of uOttawa’s an Ottawa company that produces Cold Spray Research Lab works with about 5,000 prototypes per year for aerospace companies, including clients around the world, contract Boeing, GE and Pratt & Whitney, to study manufacturing and prototyping the viability of 3D-printed metallic opportunities for SMEs and innovators structural parts in aircraft. are available at not-for-profits such as the University of Ottawa’s Richard He says the aerospace industry L’Abbé Makerspace and the Bayview currently uses 3D printers to produce Yards Prototyping Lab. only non-structural parts, partly due to stringent regulations. But both Lavoie and Design 1st founder Kevin Bailey say the next generation “But now we’re talking about structural of 3D printing technologies for parts that are very important for manufacturing – machines with the integrity of an aircraft or a car,” the ability to print metal parts Jodoin adds. Because parts made from for industries such as aerospace, lightweight metals such as titanium automotive and medical – are missing and aluminum can be produced on from the region. 3D printers easier than via traditional manufacturing techniques, he says the That’s largely because of the high industry has a keen interest in cost of metals-based printers, says the the technology – even though most University of Ottawa’s Hanan Anis. experts agree additive manufacturing The Natural Sciences and Engineering isn’t well-suited for mass production Research Council of Canada’s Chair in and will likely always be a niche activity Entrepreneurial Engineering Design for small runs. founded the university’s makerspace, which has 100 3D printers and works
Design 1st as well as multinationals with a local presence, including Flex, Jabil and Sanmina. Design 1st’s Bailey says the technology would be a huge addition to the region’s additive manufacturing capabilities, both for smaller companies and larger firms that currently print metal products at their manufacturing hubs throughout Asia. It would also provide valuable practical experience to the next generation of Ottawa engineers, he adds. “Figuring things out can be done much cheaper when the tools are local,” Bailey says. Cyril McKelvie, the Ottawa-based vice-president of Jabil’s optical communications business, agrees, adding that metal 3D printing capabilities in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario could help companies with operations in the region get products to market faster. “If we were able to get access to a metal part earlier in the process because we can 3D print it (in the region), we’d be able to cut our prototyping time down substantially,” he says. “A few weeks in a development cycle is a huge advantage.” STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 33 ]
CITY OF KINGSTON
A smart, liveable 21st century city Kingston combines a vibrant social scene with entrepreneurship and innovation Ian Murdoch’s previous career as a consulting engineer took him across the country, giving him plenty of insight into what it would be like to live and work in any of Canada’s major cities. At the end of each trip, he always found himself glad to come home to Kingston. So, it may come as little surprise that he ended up with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation as a business development officer – an ambassador for the Limestone City, charged with grow-
ing and retaining its employment base and labour pool. “Kingston is the fresh-water sailing capital of the world, we have more pubs and restaurants per capita than just about anywhere, a vibrant waterfront and nightlife,” he said. “I have acres of land just minutes from downtown. Just about every activity on water imaginable is outside your front door. Kingston’s earned kudos as most walkable city in Ontario, one of the top places to live in Canada, and that’s just a start.”
That quality of life is only part of the story. A well-educated labour force is another of Kingston’s distinctions. The area has a strong post-secondary tradition between Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College of Canada, and has ranked first in Canada for PhD grads. Each year, these three institutions have about 45,000 students enrolled. For Murdoch and the team, the challenge is to impress upon these students that Kingston is a great community in which to remain.
Top in Canada for R&D
What may surprise many people is Kingston’s spot on an international ranking of Canada’s cities – No. 1 for industrial
If you are thinking of starting a family or a business, there is no better place than Kingston. The barrier to entry and the cost of doing business is lower than the GTA or Ottawa. We have the Highway 401 access, the U.S. access, the water access for recreation. We love it here and we love promoting Kingston.” - Eric Dinelle, President, Environmentall Contracting Services.
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KUDOS FOR KINGSTON Best Canadian Hotspot for Young, Talented Workers (Next Cities) Top City to Raise a Family (Today’s Parent) World Top 7 Intelligent Community 2014 (Intelligent Community Forum) The Best Place to be a Woman in Canada 2019 (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) Most Sustainable City (Corporate Knights) Top Place to Live in Canada (MoneySense Magazine) and academic research and development. Businesses such as DuPont, INVITSA, Bombardier, GreenCentre Canada and Grafoid maintain significant global R&D facilities in Kingston to take advantage of the research partnerships available with the colleges and the university. “Our post-secondary institutions are developing world-class talent, we have specialized research institutions and dedicated startup incubators and accelerators,” Murdoch said. All of which positions the city as an innova-
tive, leading economy. Residents of Kingston benefit from high-speed connectivity delivered by 1,000 km of fibre optics cable as well as proximity to major markets in Canada and the U.S. Over the past three years, more than $2 billion of new infrastructure investments has been completed or announced that will further boost the city’s appeal for both jobseekers and employers.
Find your place
Most Vibrant Downtown (Journal of American Planning) are a city of diversity and big ideas – come be a part of it.” To learn more about putting down roots, building a career or starting a business in Kingston, please visit www.kingstonecdev. com.
“Kingston offers fantastic career opportunities and an even better quality of life without having to absorb the high costs of living in a larger city,” Murdoch said. “We STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 35 ]
OPPORTUNITY IS
COOKING O
pen your fridge, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot a food item or a beverage that was manufactured right here in Eastern Ontario. As the home of countless smaller-scale food and beverage producers and a crucial production site for industry titans such as Pepsico and Nestle, Eastern Ontario is an undeniable hub in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.
With this sector’s widespread presence in the region comes opportunity. Whether you’re looking to run a business in a healthy and growing industry or searching for rewarding and secure employment, Eastern Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing industry is a good place to start.
UP-AND-COMING BUSINESSES
Michael McKenzie is the founder of Sharbot Lake-based Seed to Sausage, which specializes in hand-crafted cured [ 36 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
meats. He has witnessed the many opportunities in this industry firsthand. McKenzie started Seed to Sausage in his garage. He admits there was initially a bit of a learning curve. “I had no idea what I was doing,” McKenzie says of his first steps into the industry. A few years – and a lot of hard work – later, the company now has several retail locations and a provincial-level plant in Sharbot Lake. The company is also opening a federal-level plant, which will allow McKenzie to sell outside Ontario. “In Sharbot Lake, we produce high-end cured meats,” he explains. “We sell them wholesale to eight different distribution companies who distribute to just over 800 restaurants around Ontario. “I wanted to build a federal facility,” he adds. “That’s a much higher level of food safety and inspection, but it would allow
me to export anywhere in the world. That’s what I’m building now. It’ll be beside my current facility.” McKenzie hasn’t just created a successful business for himself. He’s also created jobs for many others and now employs more than 50 people. And what does he look for when he’s hiring at the entry level? “Let’s say (I’m hiring) at the new federal facility that I’m building,” he says. “We can train our staff to do almost any function that we’re doing there, and they get paid quite well to do it, and it’s a pretty easy, comfortable job. “Really, the only skills I’m asking for is (having) a great attitude, caring about what you do, enjoying the people around you, then showing up on time and getting the job done as a team. These are the only skills I require of anybody I employ for production, and it’s my job to give them a safe, comfortable work
in Eastern Ontario’s food & beverage manufacturing sector BY TOM TAYLOR
environment they like coming to and feel safe in.”
of my mind that this is a fun, new opportunity.”
With expanding production capacity and a growing workforce, Seed to Sausage is evolving quickly, and McKenzie has been enjoying the process.
Like McKenzie, Larkin admits that there was a learning curve when she entered the industry.
“It’s been incredible,” he says. “It’s still a challenge, but I’m always learning, and I think that’s what being in business for yourself is about.” Seed to Sausage is far from the only Eastern Ontario food and beverage manufacturer enjoying rapid growth. The sector is full of success stories – such as that of Ottawa-based kombucha producer Buchipop. Patricia Larkin, a former chef, co-founded Buchipop to quench a thirst for a new business adventure. “I wanted some new challenges,” she says. “I had been making kombucha at home, and it was kind of in the back
“There were tons of things to figure out: what equipment to buy, how to overcome different obstacles, not just making it in your kitchen, but growing larger scale,” she says. “I had no experience with any of this. “That’s been the biggest challenge and also the most fun.” Larkin has met each of the challenges she’s encountered. Buchipop is now operating out of a facility in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood, and business is booming. She says about 150 retailers in Ottawa are selling Buchipop, and several Whole Foods outlets are also carrying the product. cont’d on page 39 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 37 ]
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cont’d from page 37 As Buchipop grows, Larkin has expanded her team. She now employs about five people, and she says she values qualities such as enthusiasm and dedication over specific skills. “I don’t necessarily hire based on skill,” she says. “I feel like somebody who is really motivated and interested and wants to learn is the best candidate.”
ESTABLISHED PLAYERS
Eastern Ontario isn’t just home to smaller-scale outfits like Seed to Sausage and Buchipop. The region also has a number of established players, such as Olymel. Olymel is a leader in the processing of both pork and poultry in Canada. The company has had a plant in Cornwall since August 2000. Sandra Marleau,
facility trainer at this location, says the plant’s workforce has grown to roughly 650 people and still includes some of its original hires. Many Olymel employees end up staying for the long term, and some even advance within the company. “The production manager, he started on a forklift in another Olymel facility,” Marleau says. “Now he’s the production manager 30 years later.” Marleau believes multiple factors encourage employees to stay with the company, including opportunities for advancement, fixed shifts, competitive wages, full benefits packages, discounts on Olymel products and of course, the security of working in a stable, growing industry.
As the industry evolves and grows, Olymel’s Cornwall plant has grown too, expanding its workforce. Marleau says the ideal candidate for an entry-level job at the plant is “someone that’s goal-oriented and team-oriented, because you’re working in groups. Also someone who likes to work in a fastpaced environment.” When employees join the Olymel team in Cornwall, they can do so knowing they’ll be treated well. “The company strives to take care of its employees,” Marleau explains. “I say this to the employees when I’m training them: ‘You’re the ones that put the bacon in the packages, not me. You’re the ones that make the plant run."
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 39 ]
OTTAWA EMPLOYMENT HUB
Where talent and opportunity connect The local resource for manufacturing and skilled trades Manufacturers and skilled trades in Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario need fresh talent. Jobseekers of all ages and backgrounds want the labour market insight to guide and inform their career choices. Ottawa Employment Hub is the place where business, community partners and jobseekers connect to bridge the skills gap and broaden the search for talent in the National Capital Region. The Hub is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
The proof is in the numbers
Each year, the Hub updates local Labour Market Information (LMI) for various sectors of the economy. LMI provides employers and jobseekers across the spectrum with critical insight into labour force needs, what skills are in demand and how salaries compare. The most recent year-over-year LMI data for local manufacturing, for example, paints a compelling picture about rising labour demand and related wage gains: [ 40 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
The number of manufacturing jobs in Ottawa rose by 2.8 per cent, to 19,338. The average salary in the sector locally rose by 2.5 per cent, to $64,524, while Ontario sector salaries saw little change. The number of online manufacturing job postings jumped by 44.4 per cent, to 3,409 (#3 sector for local job ads).
The Hub is your one-stop shop
More than 70 employment and training organizations in Ottawa offer free programs and services, and financial incentives in some cases, to help employers in all sectors broaden their search for talent and build the skills of their current workforce.
Meanwhile, educators are looking to connect with employers and get them involved with WIL (work-integrated learning), to create opportunities that will promote manufacturing and skilled trades to youth and newcomers. Ottawa Employment Hub serves as the connective tissue between all these programs and services. It takes a targeted and sector-driven approach to address the labour supply issues that face local manufacturing and skilled trades. Whether you are an educator, student, jobseeker or employer, keep reading to learn how the Hub can help you.
The Hub connects educators, students, jobseekers, employers Feature articles in this magazine have documented the challenges many manufacturers face to attract and retain the talent they need. Unemployment is at record lows across most sectors of the economy. Manufacturing as a career path often suffers from a negative perception, despite the fact that many positions are highly skilled and require post-secondary education or advanced technical training.
How Ottawa Employment Hub helps Reaching students and recent grads: Engagement with all five Ottawa-area post-secondary institutions and the four school boards to guide future programming and ensure the next generation of workers are equipped with relevant skills. Broadening the talent pool: Partnership with umbrella organizations to help employers tap into a broader pool of
talent that includes youth, persons with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada: • Employment Ontario Ottawa Network (www.eoon.ca) • Rideau Ottawa Valley Learning Network (www.rovln.ca) • Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP – www.olip-plio.ca) • Hire Immigrants Ottawa (www.hireimmigrantsottawa.ca) • Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN – www.earn-paire.ca) • Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE – www.onfe-rope.ca) • And more. Launching an Employer Help Desk: A new resource to help employers make the right connections between the
supply and demand side of the labour market, for their current and future needs. Providing tools for organizational change: An online HR Toolkit and a directory of local service providers and programs helps businesses understand their HR obligations and become employers of choice by creating an inclusive and engaging workplace culture. The Hub’s next step: The Making It in Manufacturing Resource Network In collaboration with the Ottawa Board of Trade, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, local businesses, school boards, and other LEPC partners, the Hub has launched Making It in Manufacturing (MIIM). Learn more about MIIM on the next page.
TESTIMONIAL “We work with the Hub to market our organization to candidates and industry professionals and to become better known and more visible in the high-tech manufacturing community. This helps us to promote career opportunities at Sanmina and educate others on the knowledge, skills, abilities and education we look for in candidates, so that we can build talent and engage with candidates we may not otherwise have an opportunity to meet.” Amanda Jones, Director, Human Resources, Sanmina Corp. STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 41 ]
OTTAWA EMPLOYMENT HUB
Making It in Manufacturing starts with The Hub To better focus and align its efforts on behalf of the local manufacturing sector, Ottawa Employment Hub and its partners have created the Making It in Manufacturing (MIIM) Resource Network, with funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. “We are drawing on the strength of our relationships to look at things in a different way and leverage workforce planning and development activities across the region, no matter who is funding them and where the project lives,” said Ingrid Argyle, Managing Director of the Hub. “MIIM will give a ‘face’ to manufacturing in and around Ottawa – something we can build on to engage both the current and future workforce.” MIIM leverages and streamlines resources for the local manufacturing sector from the dozens of funded programs and services available in Eastern Ontario from the Hub’s network of 150 partners.
What can employers, jobseekers, educators expect from MIIM? Manufacturing-specific job fairs and other networking and educational events. More opportunities for engagement between manufacturers and local high schools and post-secondary institutions. Alignment with Invest Ottawa (another LEPC partner) and its Talent Strategy initiative. Using online resources such as Magnet and LinkedIn to explore labour supply and demand, and to make connections between talent and jobs in new ways.
Get involved today
Visit MIIMOttawa.ca to learn more about MIIM activities and how you can take advantage.
We are drawing on the strength of our relationships to look at things in a different way and leverage workforce planning and development activities across the region, no matter who is funding them and where the project lives.” - Ingrid Argyle, Managing Director
TESTIMONIAL “Hovey participates in Making It in Manufacturing events because we were having trouble finding qualified people or even qualified programs from which to draw new hires. We realized we should be part of a movement that would draw younger folks to consider a career in manufacturing. MIIM events also connect us with resources we hadn’t explored for new employees and give us the chance to hear the experiences of other employers.” Marco Campagna, President, Hovey Industries [ 42 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Are you ready to explore a career in manufacturing? Ottawa Employment Hub provides guidance and assistance for jobseekers, from high-school students to experienced professionals in career transition. Its Career Gear Tool takes you through four steps to make an informed decision: CAREER CLARITY: Looking inward to understand yourself and your toolkit GOAL CHECK: Explore the “world of work” and what employers want VALUE PROPOSITION: Create your compelling story TAKE ACTION: Apply your learning and take your next step Career Gear is a tool you can return to again and again to build skills and effectively market yourself to employers. Understand yourself and the world of work to connect with the opportunity that is right for you. Gear up for your future today! Visit www.ottawaemploymenthub.ca to learn more and try out Career Gear.
CONNECTING STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, EMPLOYERS The Hub also works with local school boards and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs, post-secondary institutions, and with manufacturers to support co-op programs in which they can connect with young talent. Dhriti (Dee) Aravind, a recent high school graduate, found these kinds of workplace experiences invaluable to help with her postsecondary and career decisions: “Building and developing new products with powerful machines has always intrigued me. When I joined the Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) manufacturing program, I was encouraged to discover my passions in a real work environment through a co-op at Ericsson Canada where I combined my software, work experience and shop experience. “Manufacturing is often labelled as work that is more suitable for males, but anyone can do it. Manufacturing is essential to our daily living, and it is vital to encourage students to continue their education in this stream.” STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 43 ]
WHO’S RENOVATING
CENTRE BLOCK? There are no longer any politicians in the Centre Block on Parliament Hill. They’ve all cleared out and been replaced by an army of hard-working and highly skilled individuals who will spend the next decade or more rehabilitating one of the country’s most hallowed and important landmarks. The renovation of this almost 100-year-old structure, which will be undertaken by PCL-ED, a joint venture of PCL Constructors Canada and EllisDon, will not be easy. In fact, it’s been deemed the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitation project in Canadian history. More than $770 million worth of contracts have already been awarded for this mammoth task, which will depend on the expertise of a massive array of specialists and workers – each of whom will tackle specific areas of the project. Here are a few of the dozens of interesting jobs that will exist on-site at the Centre Block restoration and modernization project. [ 44 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
LABOURER
In some respects, labourers are the most important part of any job site. An ever-moving blur of activity, a labourer is responsible for a large number of tasks, including loading and unloading building materials, performing basic demolition, removing debris and hazards, keeping the site clean and more. Labourers prepare the space for everybody else and clean up after them.
CARPENTER
Carpenters are a crucial part of any major build or remodel, as they take care of the construction and installation of fixtures made of wood and occasionally other materials. They’re generally very experienced, fit and good with quick math, as measurements play a massive part in their work. They’re also not afraid of splinters.
EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Construction sites are often packed with heavy equipment, from bulldozers to forklifts to backhoes to hydraulic cranes. These powerful machines can’t be operated by just anybody. Instead, they’re helmed by licensed professionals with the education and experience to ensure nothing goes awry.
MASON
Masons deal in bricks, concrete and stone to build walls, walkways and a whole lot more. During the rehabilitation of a massive stone building like Centre Block, they are unsurprisingly invaluable. The masons on site will have completed lengthy apprenticeships and will pair their experience with impressive physical strength.
STONE CARVER
Stone carvers will be responsible for the restoration of the building’s existing stone features – such as entranceways, staircases, statues and mantels – and the creation of new ones. This is a craft that requires an eye for detail and a steady hand, and for those working on the Centre Block project, lots of experience.
PLUMBER
If it involves water coming in and out of the building, it’s in the plumber’s jurisdiction. Plumbers are responsible for installing pipes and drainage systems, as well as more visible features such as sinks and toilets. To work as a plumber in Ontario, you need a Certificate of Qualification, which requires in-school training and an apprenticeship.
ELECTRICIAN
The electricians on-site at Centre Block will install all of the required electrical systems, ensuring that the completed project has working lights and power. They will all have completed an electrical apprenticeship amounting to thousands of hours. Many will also have completed pre-apprenticeships. In other words, they know what they’re doing.
DRYWALL FINISHER AND PLASTERER
A drywall finisher and plasterer is responsible for applying and finishing new walls and ceilings, and maintaining and restoring old ones. In Ontario, this is a regulated trade, meaning individuals must obtain a Certificate of Qualification in order to practise. That means completing in-school training and an apprenticeship.
STEEL ERECTOR
Steel erectors play an absolutely crucial role on a job site such as Centre Block. They assemble the structural framework of the project, which is developed by the project’s engineers. Steel workers, unsurprisingly, must be fit, knowledgeable and comfortable working at heights. Most also complete lengthy apprenticeships.
PROJECT MANAGER
There’s a lot to keep track of on a job site as complex as the Centre Block restoration. It’s up to project managers to stay on top of everything by working with architects and engineers, communicating with subcontractors, monitoring material and labour costs, developing schedules and lots, lots more.
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 45 ]
EASTERN ONTARIO MANUFACTURERS
CREATING A CLEANER PLANET
H
uman beings consume an awful lot of stuff, and unfortunately, a lot of it tends to end up in the landfill. Thankfully, there are businesses all over the world working hard to come up with new ways of diverting waste and turning it into something new, useable and valuable. Many of those businesses happen to be situated right here in Eastern Ontario. ‘THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT This industry is expanding in the region, thanks in large part to a growing environmental consciousness among consumers. People want to keep their waste out of landfills, and there are dozens of businesses out there helping them do just that. Clayton Miller is the vice-president of business development at the Shift Group of Companies, an
[ 46 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
organization that specializes in electronics recycling and has an office in Ottawa. Miller, who has been in the recycling industry for more than 15 years, says the sector is clearly gaining momentum. “It’s becoming increasingly stable,” he says. “I would say that the future is bright.” Mark Walker is the operations manager at Tomlinson Organic, a company that turns organic waste — such as the food scraps you throw into your green bin — into compost and high-quality topsoil. He believes the composting business has a significant upside. “Within the composting industry, I can see this place growing,” he says of the Kingston plant he oversees. “I’ve seen how much we’ve grown in the last four years, and it’s pretty wild.
“We’re playing a huge role, and it’s a really exciting time for a lot of composters right now.” LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY With increasing stability and growth comes opportunity, particularly in terms of employment. While specialized skills are valuable in any industry, Walker of Tomlinson Organic says that, when it comes to filling entry-level jobs, he’s generally on the lookout for particular character traits rather than specific skills. “With composting, it’s based on being punctual and having some pride,” he says. “Just having pride in your work, that caring factor, it goes a long way. The experience will come after that.
“As long as you want to come into work and you’ve got that pride in your work, you can be taught.” Walker adds that newcomers with the right attitude have plenty of opportunities for long-term employment and even advancement within the company. “A lot of my staff are going on two or three years now, and Tomlinson has only had this spot in Kingston for about four years. “I came on with Tomlinson four years ago, and I’m one of the original guys that helped build this facility [in Kingston],” he adds. “I’ve hired everybody here. Many of them didn’t have any experience, and now they’re helping to run it.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE While workers can look forward to stable employment and opportunities for advancement, the widespread feeling that the industry is making a difference is also a major drawing card. Alastair R.B. Sampson is the president and CEO of MemPore
Environmental Technologies, an Ottawa-based company that turns used lubricating oil — which qualifies as toxic waste — into valuable base oil. He’s tremendously proud of the work his company does, because he knows how crucial it is. “We take used lubricating oil, the stuff in your crankcase in your car, which is changed every so often at your garage and collected by used oil collectors.” Samson says. “About four billion gallons of used oil is created on the planet every year. Only about 50 per cent of that is ever collected, and that’s in the more developed countries. Of that, only about five per cent is recovered into base oil.
“We rescue a scarce resource on the planet, namely the base oil, and we can reuse it indefinitely,” he adds. “Absolutely we’re making a difference.” Shift Group’s Miller feels the same way, and believes that most people in his organization do as well. “In the bigger picture, we’re having a substantial impact on the environment — on environmental outcomes both in Canada but also around the world,” he says. “A lot of volume is being pushed through this company that otherwise would go to export or to landfill. In the bigger picture, you really feel like you’re doing something that helps everyone else.”
Just having pride in your work, that caring factor, it goes a long way. The experience will come after that.” ALASTAIR R.B. SAMPSON, MEMPORE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 47 ]
JOBS & CAREERS IN MANUFACTURING & BUILDING IN EASTERN ONTARIO Curtiss-Wright
50
EllisDon
52
Healthcraft
54
KI Canada
56
Label Innovation
58
Lamarche Electric
60
M CON
62
Northern Cable
64
Olymel
79
PCL
66
Pure Ingenuity
68
Ross Video
70
Sanmina
72
Sigma Point
74
NIPISSING
HALIBURTON
HASTINGS PETERBOROUGH KAWARTHA LAKES
PETERBOROUGH QUINTE WEST NORTHUMBERLAND
[ 48 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
PEMBROKE
PRESCOTT & RUSSELL
RENFREW
OTTAWA LANARK
SMITHS FALLS
STORMONT DUNDAS & GLENGARRY
CORNWALL
PRESCOTT FRONTENAC
LENNOX & ADDINGTON
BROCKVILLE LEEDS & GRENVILLE GANANOQUE
KINGSTON BELLEVILLE
PRINCE EDWARD
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 49 ]
CURTISS-WRIGHT Why you want to work here
Our employees work on projects that are on the cutting edge of technology, carrying forward our spirit of innovation. Working at Curtiss-Wright gives you the opportunity to weave your story into our rich history.
Who we are
We are first in flight! We are the company founded by the Wright Brothers and another avionics innovator, Glenn Curtiss. We have been delivering breakthrough innovations for more than 100 years!
What we make
Today, Curtiss-Wright is a diversified, international provider of highly engineered products and services. In Ottawa, we engineer and manufacture commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) computing electronics and handling systems for rugged operating environments in space, air, sea and land.
Our top customers
BAE, Northup Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Our workplace culture
Curtiss-Wright recognizes that the success of the company is only achievable through the commitment of our dedicated employees. The company and its employees share a common set of values rooted in integrity and excellence.
Career advancement
A position at Curtiss-Wright is an opportunity to begin or grow your career. We hire co-op students (many of whom return as employees), new graduates and experienced professionals. We believe in recognizing the development of our employees and post all our opportunities internally to encourage advancement of employees. We hire for a variety of positions including production associates, material handlers, engineering technicians, manufacturing equipment technicians, planners, buyers and engineers. [ 50 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
333 Palladium Dr. Kanata, ON 613-599-9199 www.curtisswright.com facebook.com/onecwcareers linkedin.com/company /curtiss-wright-corporation www.youtube.com/channel/ UCjABpaGnRQwRAYdk7YloaSg twitter.com/cwcareers
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Senior manufacturing engineer Name: Ian Fernandez Age: 42 Years at company: 8 Educational background: Electronics and communications engineering
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What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? As a part of manufacturing engineering, my focus is on the development and improvement of operation processes so they are effective to achieve high-quality products that will remain competitive no matter how complex they have become over the years. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started off as a quality supervisor in 2011. My goal was to work for a company where I could use my education and utilize my skills and experience for further professional development. What is the best part about your job? To be able to deliver high-quality complex products to our customers while working alongside a motivated workforce that shares the same goals. This inspires me to remain engaged in my role and meeting the commitments set before me.
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Requirements Assembly positions in the operations group require a highschool diploma as well as a strong desire to continuously learn, a commitment to teamwork and collaboration, a commitment to continuous improvement, mechanical and technical aptitude, willingness to support three shifts. Other positions require a diploma in electronics, as well as electro-mechanical engineering or equivalent. Skills Verbal and written communication; as well as analyzing, judgment and decision-making; manual dexterity, reading and understanding technical drawings; accuracy and attention to detail; and an ability to use computers to complete work tasks.
Perks Dental benefits Vision benefits
Group RRSP/ DPSP with company match
Drug coverage & paramedical services
Free parking Life insurance
Three weeks of vacation time
Employee stock purchase plan
Business casual dress code
Lead assembler
2
The job
1
Team lead
Senior assembler
Assembler
Contact
Reagan Nuss
Human resources manager Reagan.nuss@curtisswright.com 613-254-5133 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 51 ]
ELLISDON CORPORATION Why you want to work here
We believe that by providing freedom and empowering each other we will out-perform, out-deliver and stay at the forefront of our industry. EllisDon is a place where exceptional, driven people achieve meaningful careers.
Who we are
Over the last 65 years, we’ve grown from being a general contractor to a multifaceted company that can deliver any aspect of a project. We offer valuable services for every stage of a project from inception to the end of its lifecycle.
What we do
Cradle-to-grave services including but not limited to construction sciences, enterprise intelligence, virtual design and construction plus sustainable building solutions for commercial, institutional, civil and industrial companies.
Our workplace culture
Our approach to business reflects our core values: freedom, trust, complete openness, accountability, entrepreneurial enthusiasm, integrity and mutual respect. The result is a company filled with leaders, who do everything to lift each other up, excel at innovating, and never let each other down. Our policies, practices and initiatives make for an environment that supports diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Career advancement
We invest in all our employees with regular career development discussions and tools so you can have the career you’ve always wanted. Tell us what you want to do, and we will provide the vehicle, whether it’s on-the-job training, technical and leadership skills development or coaching and mentorship.
Fun stuff
A frequent winner of "Best Employer" awards, EllisDon is dedicated to building strong relationships in the communities that we build in through volunteering, charity, and team building events. [ 52 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
2680 Queensview Drive, Ottawa, ON P 613-565-2680 ellisdon.com facebook.com/ellisdoncorporation/ linkedin.com/company/ellisdon/ @EllisDon www.youtube.com/user/ EllisDonConstruction
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Superintendent Name: Wil Foster Age: 29 years old Years at company: 6 years Educational background: Carpentry Diploma – Algonquin College, Gold Seal Certified. What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I manage the overall construction process for ICI projects, coordinating multiple disciplines. I ensure all work is completed with the highest level of quality while meeting strict health and safety standards. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I initially worked elsewhere as a carpenter and foremen and became a Superintendent. Joining EllisDon has allowed me to work on larger, more complex projects and enabled me to work my way up from Assistant Superintendent. What is the best part about your job? The challenge of starting with an empty field and working with a diverse team to create a new building under tight deadlines is incredibly exciting and gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
The job
5
4 3
Perks
Dental benefits
Gym membership
Eyecare benefits
Life insurance
Drug benefits
Employee Share Program
Profit sharing
Other: Summer Hours, Financial support for training and development opportunities, Support Professional Designations, Corporate Discount Program, Group RRSP/Retirement plan
Starts at three weeks vacation Casual dress code
1
Sr. superintendent
Superintendent
2
Requirements A construction-related degree and 4 - 6 years of experience or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience working on large commercial projects OR a degree or diploma in engineering, architecture, or equivalent work experience. Skills Advanced knowledge of various construction disciplines including safety regulations, scheduling, cost and quality control, engineering drawings. The ability to quickly identify problem situations, evaluate alternatives, produce workable solutions and lead a large team to successful completion. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
General superintendent
Assistant superintendent
Field engineer
Contact Person Marie-Lynn Bromilow, Manager of People & Culture – Ottawa and Atlantic Canada 613-565-2860 www.ellisdon.com/careers STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 53 ]
HEALTHCRAFT Why you want to work here
For almost 25 years, we have been designing and manufacturing fall prevention solutions. Our employees take pride in making premium equipment that has helped nearly one million users remain safe and independent. Every space a safer place.
Who we are
HealthCraft was founded in 1994 by an engineer, occupational therapist and a former Durable Medical Equipment store owner. Since then we have supported over 500 million safe transfers in over 20 countries worldwide and our team remains focused on innovation, better design and fall prevention safety for people of all ages and ability.
What we make
We design and manufacture advanced grab bar support products that help prevent falls for those at risk. We raise awareness and educate on the needs of fall prevention, and we help people move with confidence using our award-winning product solutions.
Our top customers
We work with market leaders who passionately care about providing a full safety solution for their clients, and primarily work with medical equipment stores, access remodelers, occupational therapists and architects..
Our workplace culture
We work hard, but we like to take moments to have fun and laugh. We have monthly personal development sessions, relaxing in our outdoor water feature space, hockey pools, ice cream socials, and more. During break or lunch, employees can also take advantage of perks such as our wall of guitars, table games, reading material and fruit service
Career advancement
Many of our departments have employee programs built to promote cross-training (assembly, shipping, IT teams). Cross training encourages skill development, growth and advancement opportunities within HealthCraft. This includes opportunities to test-drive manufacturing trades. [ 54 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
2790 Fenton Road, Ottawa, ON P 888-619-9992 www.healthcraftproducts.com www.invisiacollection.com facebook.com/healthcraftproducts/ linkedin.com/company/healthcraftproducts-inc./ twitter.com/hcp_healthcraft
MEET THE TEAM Position: Plant/Production Manager Name: Hai Nguyen Age: 44 Years at company: 19 years
What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? As a plant/production manager, my focus is planning and scheduling the operation processes, while making sure production occurs effectively in both quality and quantity. I also focus on customer satisfaction, making sure the products are ready to be shipped the same day. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? In Vietnam, I helped my family operate a small business with production lines, managing employees and meeting customers. When I first started with HealthCraft, my first position was a junior technician in assembly. I set personal goals for myself, and worked my way up to where I am today. What is the best part about your job? I love having the opportunity to deliver high quality products to our customers, all while working with a fun and motivated team
The job
Career Opportunities
• Assembly Technician • Production Technician • Machine Operator • Machinist • Welder •Production Engineering • Maintenance
Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent, general experience in a machine shop/ manufacturing/assembly environment and mechanically and technically inclined. Skills Effective communication skills both written and verbally, good manual dexterity, keen attention to detail and quality, able to work in a physically demanding environment, ability to safely lift up to 40 lbs, quick to learn, and can work independently.
• QA/QC • Material Management
Perks Dental benefits
Retirement plan / RRSP contributions
Drug benefits
Free parking
Financial bonuses
Life insurance
Three or more weeks of vacation time
Monthly personal development sessions
Casual dress code
Contact Person
Kim Steele Jobs@healthcraftproducts.com 888-619-9992 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 55 ]
KI CANADA Why you want to work here
KI offers unique employment opportunities with a diverse and skilled workforce in an environment that is warm, friendly, down to earth and supportive.
Who we are
KI Canada is one of five plants in North America and is the sixth largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world. We have been located in the Ottawa Valley since 1992 and employ approximately 115 full-time production staff and 30 Salaried staff. We have various skilled trades positions, including Electricians, Millwrights, and CAD Designers. Our Pembroke facility also has departments specializing in Design & Engineering, Purchasing, MDM, Customer Service, Research & Development and Human Resources.
What we make
We make top quality office furniture, primarily storage units like vertical and lateral filing cabinets. We also make desks and privacy dividers for offices.
Our top customers
Around 95 per cent of our products are shipped to the US. We provide office furniture to many leading corporations and companies around the world.
Our workplace culture
KI really is about different age groups working together with one common goal. We have many employees who have been here for years who have climbed the ranks, and we also hire summer staff to keep up with the demand during our busy season. Our employees like to help each other and support one another.
Career advancement
When we look at the history of KI, many of our employees who started out in positions such as a production technician or as an hourly employee, have learned the business, and have gradually moved to more senior roles. We give our employees an opportunity to advance in their careers. [ 56 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Fun facts about us • We purchase approximately 8,260,428
pounds of steel annually • We purchase approximately 78,689 kg of powder paint annually • We use approximately 1000, locally made, pallets per week • We use 370 paint hoods per year • We purchase and receive inventory globally • We normally ship 10+ trailers of product per day
1000 Olympic Drive, Pembroke, ON P 613-735-5566 www.ki.com facebook.com/kifurniture linkedin.com/company/ki/ twitter.com/kitweets youtube.com/user/kinetwork
MEET THE TEAM Position: Team Lead Name: Raymond Woodcox Years at company: 22 years
Career Ladder
Age: 56
What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? As a team lead, I make sure that people know how to do their jobs. I train people who are heading into new roles at the company as well as summer students who are brought on to help with the workflow. I ensure that the parts keep coming and the assembly lines keep flowing.
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How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? Since graduating high school I have always worked in industrial plants. Once arriving at KI I started learning one job at a time and kept climbing the ranks until I became team lead six or seven years ago. It’s all about having a willingness to learn and work hard. What is the best part about your job? I have always loved helping and meeting new people, and this job allows me to do that. The people who work at KI are amazing and will do anything for you in or outside of work.
4 3
The job
Perks Life insurance Long term disability, Critical illness, Medical, Paramedical Dental Educational Assistance Program LifeWorks Employee Perks and Employee Assistance Program RRSP match
Pet adoption reimbursement, Costco memberships, Annual barbeque, Christmas dinner, Annual golf tournament
1
Team Leader
Production Technician/ Support Technician 3
2
Requirements To become a team lead, you must know all of the different positions at KI. You must also be able to lead a team, and make sure that the work gets done. Skills Knowledge, willingness to learn, collaboration, problem solving, being hands on.
Value Stream Manager
Production Technician/ Support Technician 2
Production Technician/ Support Technician 1
Contact Person
Deborah Clouthier Human Resources Manager Deborah.clouthier@ki.com 613.735.5566 Ext.364 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 57 ]
LABEL INNOVATION INC. Why you want to work here
At Label Innovation Inc., we work on projects that encompass applying tremendous creativity, collaborating with a diverse range of clients and using leading-edge technology to create niche solutions that are essential to our customers’ businesses.
Who we are
We are a custom converter and manufacturer of specialty components, tapes and labels. We have built a solid reputation over four decades for developing unique, inventive solutions to complex problems, delivering high-quality products and maintaining excellent customer service.
What we make
With flexographic print technology we produce highly customized, pressure sensitive-based products that meet customer-specified requirements. We excel at converting challenges where tight tolerances, multi layered constructions and efficient production processes are required.
Our top customers
Our clients come from a wide variety of industries including the medical device, security, technology and industrial markets. They rely on LINC as an invaluable supply partner who routinely makes the impossible a reality, providing superior solutions with quick turn-around times.
Our workplace culture
Our focus on partnership, emphasis on trust and desire to constantly improve has built a company-wide team driven to perform to the highest standards. Our values – creativity, integrity, respect and ownership – drive us to achieve exceptional results for all clients.
Career advancement
We hire, train, promote and retain excellent people who are performancedriven and operate with unwavering integrity and values that match those of our organization. [ 58 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
2714 Fenton Road, Ottawa, ON P 1-877-247-9200 www.labelinnovation.com facebook.com/labelinnovation linkedin.com/company/label-innovation-inc-/ twitter.com/LabelInnovation youtube.com/user/labelinnovation
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Customer Service Name: Lorelie Obas Age: 57 Years at company: 20 years Educational background: vocational courses in administration and data processing
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What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I support the sales team and perform additional administrative tasks. I face different situations every day as I work to meet the unique needs of every customer. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I stared in reception/admin support and was promoted to customer service after 8 years because the company felt I could be an even greater asset in this capacity and would gain more insight about what Label Innovations does. What is the best part about your job? I love being able to solve customers’ problems, come up with creative solutions and ensure they receive the highest-quality products. I’m grateful to work with a motivated team that shares the same goals.
3
Requirements A background in administration, purchasing, accounting, customer service including formal computer, administrative and accounting training. We look for flexible, adaptable individuals who will commit to the values of the company. For manufacturing positions, a printing or other technical background plus experience reading drawings and interfacing with graphic designers is ideal. Skills Verbal and written communication, creativity, reading and understanding technical drawings, accuracy and attention to detail, ability to use computers to complete work tasks.
Team Lead / Supervisor / Trainer
2
The job
1
Management
Production Operator
Production Support
Perks Medical, dental and vision benefits
Free parking
Drug coverage & paramedical services
Life insurance and income protection
Two weeks or more vacation time for new hires Group RRSP/DPSP with company match
Paid time off for vacation, bereavement, jury duty and more Training opportunities/tuition refund Recognition prior service
Contact Person
Leeanne Harvey Director of Human Resources lharvey@labelinnovation.com 613-247-9200 x 1111 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 59 ]
LAMARCHE ELECTRIC INC. Why you want to work here
Servicing over 2,000 customers a year, we at Lamarche Electric Inc. take pride in the work we do. We offer a family friendly mentality with both our customers and employees.
Who we are
Family owned and operated, Lamarche Electric Inc. is a reputable electrical contractor serving the greater Ottawa area, as well as Gatineau. Lamarche Electric Inc. is a true full-service electrical contractor, specializing in small to large scale commercial, industrial and residential construction as well as renovations, design builds and maintenance.
What we make
Code compliant electrical systems and civil infrastructure for high rises, institutions, factories and houses.
Our top customers
Builders, municipalities, hospitals and factories. Lamarche Electric Inc. services 2000 individual customers yearly.
9374 County Rd 17, Rockland, ON K4K 1K9 P 613-747-8882
Our workplace culture
Lamarche Electric Inc. is a family friendly fast paced work environment, with every day and every project presenting new and unique challenges. It is important to us that every employee feels at home, which is why we take time out on a regular basis for team building activities. We work out of an incredible barn that was restored in 2017.
ESA Lic.: ECRA/ESA 7002052
Lamarche Électrique QC Inc. 700-35 Rue de Villebois, Gatineau, QC J8T 8J7 RBQ 5702-7393-01 www.lamarcheelectric.ca
Career advancement
We provide ongoing opportunities for career advancement as well as inhouse training. Annual reviews provide opportunities for advancement and identifies promising employees ready to take on new roles within the company.
Fun stuff
Yearly activities such as a fishing retreat, car racing, hockey games, barbeques and a Christmas party and entertainment. At Lamarche ElectricInc., we thrive on team building activities. [ 60 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Perks Health benefits
Great work space
Two weeks of vacation time
Life insurance
Business casual dress code
Competitive salaries
Group RRSP/Retirement plan
Apprenticeship Programs
MEET THE TEAM Position: Service Manager Name: Jeffrey Dunn Years at company: 10 years What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I am currently the manager of the service and maintenance division. I am responsible for many tasks, including: compliance (permits and inspections), estimating, scheduling and coordination with other trades. I am also one of the key technical advisors for the entire team. My experience with Lamarche Electric Inc. ensures that I know the ins and outs of operating an electrical contracting company in Ontario.
At Lamarche Electric the sky is the limit.
How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I have been working with Lamarche Electric’s since 2009. I started out in the electric field as an apprentice, and worked my way up. Anytime an opportunity opened up, I always took it. What is the best part about your job? Dealing with our long time repeat clients and the fast paced environment and daily challenges that come with the position. I always love when a client sends us an email to tell us how pleased they were with the job we did.
Position: Vice President and Operations Manager Name: Simon Beaulieu Years at company: 6 years What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I currently manage existing client projects and develop new relationships with the intent to expand our client base throughout Ontario and Quebec. For example: management of small to major scale projects, design of project electrical infrastructures using the newest available technologies and tools, and workforce management are some of my main tasks. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I arrived at this position by developing the proper work skills and devotion for the profession. I started off at a co-op program in high school. Then, through the apprenticeship program, I learned all parts of the position and eventually became a licenced electrician. From product management to installations and project design to project management, I worked my way up to my current position by grasping every opportunity. What is the best part about your job? The most rewarding part of my job is the gratification of a satisfied customer.
Contact Person
Shawn Lamarche service@lamarcheelectric.ca 613.747.8882 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 61 ]
M CON PRODUCTS Why you want to work here
We have a unique work environment, with varied products and specialized equipment. Our departments work together to manufacture products to the industry’s highest standards. As the company grows, we continue to add the latest technologies to be an industry leader.
Who we are
We’re a one-stop shop for all water and sewer infrastructure needs. The company has a philosophy: if it can be poured in place on site, it can be made better if it were precast.
What we make
Our product lines include circular and elliptical concrete pipe, circular and box maintenance holes, catch basins, box culverts, engineered gravity retaining walls and various other stock and custom pieces for watermain and sewer maintenance.
Our top customers
Tomlinson, Cavanagh Construction and Taggart Construction.
Our workplace culture
Our company has a casual, friendly and professional culture. The manufacturing plant works at a fast pace, with a steady workload. Our staff are focused and motivated.
Career advancement
We are members in several associations that offer career development courses and certification programs that are available to all our staff.
Fun stuff
Annual company Christmas parties, hockey and football ticket draws, summer BBQ days and food truck days.
Our values
We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment by continually improving our processes and technologies. We aim daily to decrease our waste and increase efficiencies in our office and throughout our manufacturing operations. [ 62 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
2150 Richardson Side Rd Carp, ON P 613-831-1736 mconproducts.com facebook.com/mconproducts linkedin.com/company/mcon-products-inctwitter.com/mconproducts
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Engineering supervisor Name: Ryan Arecchi Age: 27 Years at company: Four Educational background: Advanced diploma in civil engineering technology from Algonquin College What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I supervise the coordination of shop drawings, assist engineering coordinators with product design proposals and technical services as well as perform detailed material quantity take-offs while liaising between contractors, engineers, suppliers and M CON employees. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path?I had worked in the concrete industry in multiple roles including skilled labourer, assistant foreman and project coordinator for six years prior to joining M CON Products. I further developed my training and education by attending Algonquin College for civil engineering, which enabled me to become a project coordinator at M CON Products. After a few years, I was offered the position of supervisor and took on scheduling for the production department.
3
What is the best part about your job? Developing unique and industry-leading solutions and designs that meet project requirements.
2
Position: Machine operator Name: Lorenzo Grant Age: 31 Years at company: Four What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I operate the M.B.K cage welding machine, which makes cages of different sizes and shapes required for daily manhole and pipe production. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started at M CON doing basic repairs on precast products and whatever was required of me daily until an opportunity opened for me to learn to operate some of the plant’s machines, such as the coring machine, the ACROWOOD cage welding machine and then the M.B.K machine.
Engineering supervisor $60,000+
1
Production scheduler $50,000+
Project co-ordinator $42,000+
What is the best part about your job? My work involves both computerized and mechanical knowledge, both of which I enjoy, as well as being involved in the day-to-day production of pieces to fulfill customer requirements.
Perks Dental benefits
Retirement plan / RRSP contributions
Vision benefits
Free parking
Drug coverage
Life insurance
Three or more weeks of vacation time
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Business casual dress code
Contact Person Tim Underhill hr@mconproducts.com 613-831-1736
Financial bonuses STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 63 ]
NORTHERN CABLES INC. Why you want to work here
People are our most valued resource at Northern Cables, which embraces a proven and successful grow-fromwithin-culture. Workers can enjoy coming to work every day knowing they are contributing to the growth, stability and success of the company.
Who we are
Northern Cables is a growing privately owned company with facilities located in Prescott and Brockville.
What we make
Northern Cables is a producer of lowvoltage interlocked armour cables as well as aluminum and copper products.
Our workplace culture
With a focus on safety, quality, skill development and training, the company has a grow-from-within-culture that provides career development opportunities for those wish to pursue opportunities in manufacturing or support roles.
Career advancement
Most of the company staff, from support roles through to management, began their careers as a manufacturing worker. All production workers are given ample training opportunities, starting when they begin as an indirect utility worker through to a manufacturing operator.
Fun stuff
The company hosts a second-to-none Christmas party complete with live entertainment, prizes and annual service awards. The annual golf tournament is always well attended. Company personnel are engaged to join in community events such as the Big Bike Ride in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, curling teams, as well as community festivals.
50 California Ave. Brockville, ON 613-345-1594 www.northerncables.com
Our values
Northern Cables is a major sponsor of the Salvation Army, Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, the Brockville Aquatarium and Railway Tunnel, the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation, Legacy Homes and the YMCA. [ 64 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
We also sponsor many local minor hockey and baseball leagues/teams/tournaments. Northern Cables also has an active reuse and recycling program that significantly reduces environmental waste.
facebook.com/northerncablesinc linkedin.com/company/ northern-cables-inc/about twitter.com/northerncables
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Plant manager Name: Owen Heavens Age: 44 Years at company: 17 Educational background: High school What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I am responsible for the day-to-day management of site safety, quality and productivity as well as leading our production workforce. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started in an entry-level production utility job working rotating shifts. I was able to demonstrate to the company that I work hard and care about what was best for the company.
5
What is the best part about your job? My favourite part of my job is working closely with my fellow workers. I get to know my colleagues personally and coach them the way I was coached through the years by company management.
Position: Production scheduler Name: George Barlow Jr. Age: 45 Years at company: 20 Educational background: High school What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I schedule the materials required for use in manufacturing, as well as, schedule machine loading according to orders and available labour. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started at Northern Cables as an introductory production worker on rotating shift work. After nine months I became an armouring machine operator. After five years, I became a shift coordinator for around 12 years. I was offered the role of plant scheduler which has been my current role for the past three years. What is the best part about your job? Working closely with my fellow workers. Getting to know them on a personal level and coaching them the way I was coached through the years by company management.
Production management $55,000+
4 3
Production support $45,000-$50,000
2 1
Production coordinator $47,000-$55,000
Production operator $51,000–$53,000
Production worker $48,000-$50,500
Perks Dental benefits
Employee assistance program
Vision benefits
(Laundered) Uniform program
Drug coverage & paramedical services
Group RRSP/Retirement plan
Two weeks of vacation time
Free parking
Contact
Human Resources
humanresources@northerncables.com
Life insurance STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 65 ]
PCL CONSTRUCTORS Why you want to work here
PCL employees make up the strongest team in the construction industry. They help solve the most complex construction challenges and bring the most ambitious engineering and architectural visions to life. PCL is owned entirely by its employees, which creates an unparalleled team environment focused on achieving common goals.
Who we are
Established in 1906, PCL is a group of independent construction firms carrying out work across Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean and Australia.
What we make
PCL is a construction partner providing specialized services related to construction management, design-build, general contracting, integrated project delivery, virtual design and construction, as well as public-private partnerships.
Our top customers
Algonquin College, Bank of Canada, Cadillac Fairview, Defence Construction Canada, Infrastructure Ontario, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Morguard, National Arts Centre, Ottawa International Airport, Public Services and Procurement Canada, University of Ottawa
Our workplace culture
PCL’s employee-ownership model is unique in the construction industry and gives us a strategic advantage. It allows us to directly benefit from the success of the business and provides futher incentive for us to do our best work. Additionally, PCL values people from diverse cultural, educational and experiential backgrounds, and strives to operate a safe and healthy work environment.
Career advancement
PCL employees have the opportunity and freedom to direct their own career. We offer a broad range of learning opportunities to support our employees’ growth and development. We offer more than 2,000 courses in technical and behavioural areas, and have customized guides to help employees achieve both short and long-term career goals. [ 66 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
49 Auriga Drive Ottawa, ON P 613-225-6130 pcl.com facebook.com/PCLconstruction linkedin.com/company/pcl-construction youtube.com/user/PCLConstructionVids twitter.com/PCLConstruction pcl_construction
MEET THE TEAM Position: Special projects manager Name: Jordan Latimer Age: 36 Years at company: 14 Educational background: Bachelor of civil engineering
Career Ladder
What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I prepare and oversee all job submissions and am responsible for staff management and operations of the special projects division. I am also responsible for all active construction projects as well as identifying and pursuing new work. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? While I was a student at the University of Ottawa, I completed four consecutive cooperative education terms with PCL as a junior field coordinator. After graduating, I joined the company full time and worked my way up. What is the best part about your job? Some of my best memories are the challenges I've faced, and friendships and relationships I've built. Another amazing part about my job is being a part of exciting and meaningful projects in my hometown. These projects are tangible achievements that our team can be proud of and that I can show my children and hopefully inspire them to follow a similar career path one day.
Position: Superintendent Name: Justin Houle Age: 41 Years at company: 16 Educational background: University of British Columbia and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I plan and manage construction activities alongside key construction partners and our trades. Through all these activities we always work to promote a safe and collaborative work environment.
5
4 3
How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started off at PCL as a summer student and quickly climbed the ranks after completing university. I worked my way up from a field coordinator to superintendent. Through PCL, I was able to try new things and learn new skills. What is the best part about your job? Working with incredibly talented people and unlimited resources to effectively complete some of the most challenging projects in the industry .
Perks Employee share program
Geographic mobility
Paid employee training and development
Flexible benefits (medical, dental and life insurance)
Performance bonuses
Lifestyle spending account / fitness credit (supports personal well-being)
Group pension with company match
Operations manager / project director or field operations manager
Project manager or superintendent
2 1
Senior project manager / construction manager or senior superintendent / general superintendent
Project engineer / project coordinator or assistant superintendent
Field engineer / field coordinator
careers.pcl.com STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 67 ]
PURE INGENUITY Why you want to work here
Our employees enjoy unique design and manufacturing challenges and feel proud when their work can be seen by the public, as is the case with Bill Lishmans’s Iceberg Sculpture outside the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Who we are
Pure Ingenuity is an engineering and fabrication company based in Kingston, working in stainless steel, highperformance alloys, aluminium, plastics and carbon fibre composites. Customers bring us their manufacturing problems and we solve, design and deliver.
What we make
We design and manufacture high-quality, custom process equipment for a wide range of industries.
Our top customers
Food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers in Eastern Ontario and around the world.
Our workplace culture
Our workplace culture is collaborative and fast-paced. We focus on forging an effective partnership with each customer to develop innovative solutions. As a team, we maintain an unwavering focus on creating the best products possible in an energetic, fun environment.
Career advancement
Pure Ingenuity welders and fabricators receive on-the-job training in an apprenticeship-like system. Employees advance as they learn new skills and take on responsibility. Ours is a dynamic, entrepreneurial setting that values both technical and soft skills.
Fun stuff
Many of our company parties are held at Spearhead Brewery, which is right next door.
Pure Ingenuity welders and fabricators receive on-the-job training in an apprenticeship-like system. 665 Development Dr. Kingston, ON P 613-389-3335 pureingenuity.com facebook.com/pureingenuityinc linkedin.com/company/ pure-ingenuity-inc-/
[ 68 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Fabricator Name: Nicolas Deragon Age: 20 Years at company: two Educational background: One year of trades program (welding) at college. CWB certified, TSSA certified What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? Each day, one of the lead hands tells me what to work on. Sometimes it is continuing a welding project from the day before, or something new. Some days I go out of town with a crew to work at a customer site. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? My plan was to learn the more practical side of engineering, and ended up deciding that office work is not for me. I like the variety, challenges, and all the new things I get to learn.
3
What is the best part about your job? Travelling to customer sites, which changes things up. It is gratifying to see what we can accomplish.
2
Position: Head welder Name: Adam Finn Age: 27 Years at company: 9.5 Educational background: Secondary school, CWB certified, TSSA certified What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I oversee welding procedures and jobs, read drawings, weld on projects and make sure others are following expectations set out by the company. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I started at the bottom, grinding and cleaning, working hard and keeping my head down. I knew if I did so, I would have the opportunity to move up.
Lead hand
1
Fabricator
Junior fabricator
What is the best part about your job? The quality of the work we do. It’s never the same job each day. I like the problem solving aspects and those occasions when I get to show the engineers that things don’t always go as planned!
Perks Dental benefits Vision benefits Drug coverage & paramedical services Free parking
Contact Person Emily Hutchinson
hr@pureingenuity.com 613-389-3335 ext 121 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 69 ]
ROSS VIDEO Why you want to work here
We develop pretty cool solutions that are used by TV news studios, rock stars, sports stadiums and more. If you've ever watched live or televised sports, attended a concert or tuned into the news, you've probably seen Ross equipment (and/or Ross personnel) in action.
Who we are
Ross powers video productions for billions of global viewers daily with the industry’s widest range of high-impact, high-efficiency production solutions. Ross makes it easy to create compelling news, weather and sports broadcasts, engaging material for sports stadium screens, entertainment shows, as well as rock concerts, educational institutions, legislative assemblies, corporate applications and houses of worship.
What we make
Ross Video designs, manufactures and delivers dependable technology and services that power exceptional live video productions. Our solutions are delivered in many forms, including hardware, software and cloud-based solutions.
Our top customers
Ross solutions have impressed the audiences and marketing partners of NBC Sunday Night Football, Eurosport, BBC World, Google YouTube Space London and Chinese eSports powerhouse VSPN.
Our workplace culture
Our staff are given the opportunity to continuously learn and try new things; we encourage innovation and an environment in which our employees are not afraid of failing.
Living in South Dundas
Ross Video's main manufacturing facility is located in the growing waterfront community of Iroquois, an hour's drive south of Ottawa. Located on the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, Iroquois and the surrounding communities in South Dundas offer residents an unparalleled quality of life with multiple beaches, marinas, golf courses and parks, and a low cost of living.
Career advancement
We provide educational assistance, extensive training and mentoring so that our employees continuously enhance and evolve their skills.
Fun stuff
Activities include wine tours, Escape room, horseback riding, zip lining, golfing days. More recently we have included axe throwing. [ 70 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
8 John St., Iroquois, ON 613-652-4886 RossVideo.com facebook.com/rossvideo twitter.com/ross_video linkedin.com/company/ross-video youtube.com/rossvideo
Position: Production manager (PCBA and robotics) Name: Joanne Lewis Years at company: 16 Educational background: Electronics technician diploma (Seneca College) What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? Monitor production reports to ensure products are moving through the floor to meet shipments. This includes problem-solving and collaboration with co-workers.
We encourage innovation and an environment in which our employees are not afraid to take risks.
How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I received my electronics technician diploma from Seneca College in May 1995. I initially started at Ross Video as an SMT operator. What is the best part about your job? Great atmosphere, great friends and co-workers! I'm empowered to have the ability to go above and beyond when necessary to be able to make changes without the long process of approvals from upper management.
Position: Manager – PCBA process development Name: Lyndon Sykes Years at company: 7 Educational background: BSc Mathematics What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? Manage the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) process development department. Department consists of 8 personnel responsible for the development and management of all processes involved in manufacturing printed circuit board assemblies. What skills are needed in this area of work? Our Code of Ethics is more than words on the wall. Teamwork for mutual benefit, clear and effective communications, translating overall company goals into more specific functional objectives and assignments are all critical. This role contains elements that are time-sensitive, requiring effective decision making in both team and individual contexts, and an ability to leverage the skills other members of the team bring to the organization, in a timely fashion.
Perks Dental benefits
Life insurance
Eyecare benefits
Employee share ownership program
Drug benefits Three or more weeks of vacation time Casual dress code Fitness allowance Free parking
$150 per year for magazines, books or CDs to upgrade work-related skills Educational assistance and development support
Contact
Recruiting@rossvideo.com 613-228-0688
Complimentary beverages and snacks Employee assistance plan
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 71 ]
SANMINA Why you want to work here
Employees who work at Sanmina Ottawa have the opportunity to gain a broad range of skills and expertise across many industries, including telecommunications, aerospace and renewable energy as well as industrial and medical markets.
Who we are
Sanmina Ottawa provides innovative B2B technology, electronics design capabilities, supply chain services and state-of-the art manufacturing to Canadian and global corporations. The site’s unique capabilities have helped transformed products for many industries.
What we make
Network equipment for telecommunications infrastructures; electronics for aerospace systems; electronics for power conversion in wind turbines.
Our top customers
Leading global telecommunications providers, top aerospace technology companies and large multinational organizations that provide industrial power solutions.
Our workplace culture
If you enjoy a high-energy, fast-paced environment where no workday is ever exactly the same, Sanmina Ottawa is the right place for you. While everyone works hard and takes responsibility to achieve their personal and team goals, the group also takes time out on a regular basis to celebrate wins and enjoy each other’s company. Gatherings include town hall meetings, barbecues and visits to local restaurants. This tight-knit group also participates in charitable efforts throughout the year to give back to the community.
Career advancement
We are big champions of career development, providing on-the-job training for new candidates and ongoing opportunities for advancement and promotion to all employees. Annual talent reviews identify promising employees who are provided with additional training and resources to [ 72 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
expand and grow their careers at the company. Many employees began as individual contributors at Sanmina Ottawa before earning supervisory positions and now oversee major production lines or operations initiatives.
Fun stuff
We regularly provide spot awards to recognize individuals who put in extra effort on big projects and hold quarterly events, such as pizza days, barbecues and ice cream socials. We also conduct raffles for free NHL tickets to games in Ottawa or Montreal.
500 March Rd. Kanata, ON 613-886-6000 sanmina.com facebook.com/SanminaCorp linkedin.com/company/sanmina youtube.com/sanminacorp vimeo.com/sanmina twitter.com/SanminaCorp
MEET THE TEAM Position: Operations supervisor Name: Francesco Briganti Years at company: 10 What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I look after after production processes and technologies that include surface mount technology (SMT), press-fit/depanel and wave and conformal coating.
There are great opportunities to grow and move forward within the organization.
How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? When I started my job at Sanmina, I was hired through an agency as a CNC (router) operator/programmer for a temporary position. What is the best part about your job? There are great opportunities to grow and move forward within the organization. The job continuously presents different challenges and technologies. It's never repetitive or boring. We take our job seriously and work hard. At the same time we have fun and take pride in what we do.
The job Requirements
Background in electronics manufacturing is preferred, however candidates direct from school will also be considered. Must have some technical background in electronics.
Skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment. Must be able to collaborate closely with planning, quality and shipping to ensure customer orders are delivered on time.
Perks Flexible benefits
$ Competitive salary
Health care spending account
10 personal emergency leave days
Personal spending account
Tuition reimbursement program
Defined contribution pension plan (DCPP)
Eligibility for payment of professional membership fees
Three weeks of vacation time
Discount programs (Dell and GoodLife Fitness)
Free parking
Contact
sanmina.com
Life insurance STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 73 ]
SIGMAPOINT Why you want to work here
Our employees make all the difference. The diversity of our workforce brings all cultures together for the same mission: Build it right, build it better. We build really cool products for our customers and are committed to reducing our environmental footprint.
Who we are
SigmaPoint is a contract electronic manufacturer that focuses on lean manufacturing to reduce waste in the process, save money for our customers and reduce non-value added steps in the process while focusing on the employee to make their job easier.
What we make
Multi-layer, complex circuit boards such as those used in surveillance drones, military communications devices, license plate recognition consoles found in police cruisers, high-speed rail inspection cameras and medical devices.
Our top customers
Manufacturers of commercial drones, aerospace security, defence, industrial IoT, advanced network systems and medical devices.
Our workplace culture
We are all about LEAN! Lean manufacturing that is, by eliminating waste and continuous improvement. We have a huge commitment to the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. Additionally, everyone at SigmaPoint is on a first-name basis. From top to bottom, everyone works in unison.
Career advancement
It’s limitless. Where do you want to be? We encourage everyone to live their dream, ask questions and advance in your field of interest. We have so many great stories about people who started in entry level positions and are now project managers, product leaders, senior lean agents, supply continuity specialists, tactical buyers, account managers, value stream managers – the list goes on. [ 74 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
Summer Students 2019
Fun stuff
Gender-balanced workforce, service awards at five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service, summer BBQs for all shifts, summer picnic, daily fitness breaks Christmas parties, Dragon Boat Races, Big Bike for Heart & Stroke , financial aid for education related to your field, Company softball team.
Our values
We sponsor many local charities and events including Sparky’s Christmas Toy Drive, Baldwin House, The Children’s Treatment Centre and OSPCA, among others. We’ve also committed to a $15,000 donation to the Ottawa Heart Institute over the next three years. Elsewhere, we divert more than 120,000 kilograms of waste from landfills through recycling annually. More recently, we created a “SigmaGarden” – an in-house wall garden to share the “fruits of our labour” with all employees.
2880 Marleau Ave Cornwall, ON 613-937-4462 sigmapoint.com facebook.com/sigmapointtechnologies linkedin.com/company/sigmapointtechnologies/ twitter.com/sigmapoint
MEET THE TEAM
Career Ladder
Position: Product engineer Name: Devan Lambert Age: 27 Years at company: 2 Educational background: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
4
What do you do on a day-to-day basis at your job? I help our team produce products based on our customers design. How did you arrive at your current position? What was your professional or career path? I began as a co-op student in the summer of 2017, when I spent the majority of my time with component engineering processes. I returned as a co-op student in the winter of 2018. I spent part of that work term on an updated baking process for components that have been exposed to excess moisture. I spent the other half of my work term working with the test engineering department to evaluate the efficiency of their test platform for a military customer. My final co-op term later that year was spent developing a component engineering dashboard to illustrate various workload trends, track ongoing projects, illustrate various performance yields and day-to-day priorities.
3
After graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland, I was offered a full-time position with SigmaPoint.
Meet some of our summer students Tim Caudle, from Memorial University, Newfoundland, studying mechanical engineering. “Best part of my summer internship is the people. I couldn’t ask for a more welcoming team and a community to make me comfortable and capable of performing my best work!” Cole Beckstead, Algonquin College, Business Administration, Supply Chain & Finance. The best part of my job is the reality check! This is the real world of work. I’m learning people skills, business skills and most importantly, I’m learning what its like to work in my field and now I’m know its exactly what I want to do ! Our summer students 2019 (photo on left hand page): From left to right: Marie Eve Ethier, Tareq Azmeh, Cole Beckstead, Bruce Baker, Tim Caudle, Nolan Seguin, Gavin McClelland, Zach St Pierre.
Account management $50,000-$75,000
2
What is the best part about your job? The people. It is clear that SigmaPoint values honesty, integrity and teamwork in its employees. Working alongside such people makes the fast-paced manufacturing environment a much more relaxed atmosphere.
1
Engineer $60,000-$80,000
Supply chain $40,000-$65,000
Production jobs $15 to $16 per hour to start, rising up to $25 per hour
Contact Person
Paula Fontaine, CHRL pfontaine@sigmapoint.com 613-937-4462 STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 75 ]
HITTING THE BOOKS … AND THE TOOLBOX, FOR A PRACTICAL, HANDS-ON EDUCATION
So you want to pursue a career in manufacturing – where do you start? As with most worthy career paths, in school, of course. Throughout this magazine, we profile individuals who have embarked on rewarding careers with manufacturers across Eastern Ontario. We feature employers with positions to fill from the plant floor to the back office. It all paints a compelling picture that reveals just how diverse the opportunities are in manufacturing. Undergraduate degrees in business, commerce, communications or operations management can all lead to the kinds of positions that provide lots of opportunity for advancement for those who demonstrate leadership and work ethic. Opportunities in manufacturing range from machine operators to jobs in supply chain and quality management, from plant supervisor positions to customer [ 76 ] stuffmadeandbuilt.ca
service and administrative roles, from jobs in technical sales and estimating to careers in engineering, R&D and AutoCAD design. Labour market information for the City of Ottawa reveals that the skills and education level required for the typical manufacturing job are roughly comparable to the average for Ottawa job sectors collectively, with about 30 per cent of roles requiring university education, 15 per cent requiring college, vocational or apprenticeship training and the same percentage requiring secondary school and/or occupational-specific training. There are a wealth of courses and programs young people can take advantage of that focus specifically on manufacturing, all the way from Grade 11 through to graduation from university or college.
SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJORS (SHSM)
SHSM enables high school students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:
• complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student’s selected field • earn valuable industry certifications, including first aid and CPR qualifications • gain important skills on the job through co-operative education placements These are geared toward Grade 11 and 12 students who are: • heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace • wanting to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after secondary school The SHSM in manufacturing provides students with a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in the manufacturing sector, from those focusing on the service, repair and modification of vehicles and vehicle systems to those related to the organization and management of manufacturing services and mass-transit systems.
AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL
Eastern Ontario’s Algonquin College, St. Lawrence College, Loyalist College and La Cité collégiale campuses offer a variety of courses and programs that can prepare students for a career in manufacturing, such as civil engineering technician/
technologist, mechanical techniques and trades such as welding and industrial mechanic.
skills required to pursue a career as a mechanical technician or as an industrial mechanic (millwright).
ALGONQUIN
Electrical Engineering Technician, to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills to implement and maintain power generation, distribution and control systems, entertainment and communication systems and process, automation and manufacturing systems.
Programs and courses include Material and Operations Management, as well as the two-year diploma program, Manufacturing Engineering Technician, which prepares students for technical positions in the manufacturing industry and gives them a broad overview of mechanical engineering principles, with a focus on product manufacturing. Algonquin is also home to the Centre for Construction Excellence, a LEED Platinum-accredited “one-of-a-kind living laboratory” that brings the next generation of carpenters, plumbers, civil engineering technologists, interior designers and many other trades and professions under a single, green roof.
ST. LAWRENCE
From its Kingston campus, St. Lawrence offers two-year diploma programs such as: Mechanical Technician, to provide students with the knowledge and
AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL
The University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Queen’s University are of course all hotbeds for engineering and industrial design to equip students with the skills and expertise to bring the latest engineering and technological knowhow to the plant floor and the R&D lab.
CARLETON’S SPROTT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The Manufacturing Systems Centre, which was “established to conduct, coordinate and disseminate research on management issues of manufacturing and operations systems,” focuses on areas such as improving productivity and effectively integrating new technologies, such as robotics and
programmable mach ine tools. UOTTAWA The Faculty of Engineering prepares students for rewarding careers in a host of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. Its Centre for Entrepreneurship and Engineering Design has under its umbrella the Brunsfield Group Student Engineering Project and Entrepreneurship Centre, where students can design, fabricate and test complex prototypes, and the Manufacturing Training Centre, where students get formal instruction on how to fabricate in a machine shop.
QUEEN’S
In partnership with Western University, Queen’s runs the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Institute – a program “designed to give practicing engineers the technical knowledge and business and management skills necessary for them to advance to the forefront of their profession,” with a focus on advanced manufacturing and boosting manufacturing productivity.
STUFF Magazine 2019/2020 [ 77 ]
SUPPORTER CONTENT
Test driving a career in manufacturing SHSM program lets OCSB students gain industry experience What are the key skills required to work in the manufacturing sector? The average person might say welding or drilling or woodworking. Those skills are useful, but students in Pius Gratwohl’s Manufacturing Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program at Notre Dame High School can tell you that communication, teamwork, problem solving and attention to detail are even more valuable. They know, because they have had two years of first-hand experience with many aspects of the industry. SHSM provides a foundation The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) offers the Manufacturing SHSM program to grade 11 and 12 students at two high schools — All Saints and Notre Dame. Project-based learning is used to help students develop a good foundation in design, reverse engineering, and fabrication processes. Depending on the project, students may get to learn 3D modelling, CNC technology, robotics coding, precision measuring, welding, milling, drilling, grinding, woodworking or automotive work. At the same time they are advancing their teamwork, problem solving and time management skills. Industry certifications are included Students in the Manufacturing SHSM receive training in many areas that will benefit them in the workplace. CPR, First Aid, and WHMIS training are a compulsory part of the program, but students can be certified in many other areas including Health & Safety, CAD/CAM, Customer Service, Leadership Skills, Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Use, Basic Electrical Safety, and Basics of Fall Protection. Some SHSM students also train and compete in FIRST Robotics and Skills Ontario competitions. Real world learning is key Real world learning is the biggest advantage of the Manufacturing SHSM program. Each student must do one co-op place-
Students verifying hole location for FIRST robotics part using vernier calipers ment, giving them valuable experience in the industry. Some end up working for the same employer after graduation. Teachers also work with industry partners to offer a wide range of learning opportunities throughout the program, including field trips, competitions, demonstrations and conferences. For example, with the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, All Saints students did a math exercise by designing a safety latch for the lid of a 1981 reactor pressure vessel. Notre Dame students toured a craft brewery to learn about the specialized machinery used and the challenges faced in servicing that equipment. These industry-related experiences help solidify the learning done in the classroom.
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OCSB schools are always looking to strengthen our relationship with local businesses. Consider helping students explore the manufacturing sector by: • Arranging industry certifications • Speaking to a class
SHSM can benefit any student By the end of grade 12, SHSM students have more than just a high school diploma. They have real world experience, a better sense of the type of work they want to do, and an understanding of where a career in manufacturing can take them. No matter what path students plan to follow after high school — apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training — a SHSM program helps them to focus on and explore a future career.
The OCSB’s focus on manufacturing manufacturing SHSM programs
EMPLOYERS: Help mold your future employees!
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high schools offer construction courses
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• Giving tours of your facility • Providing co-op placements • Providing job shadowing opportunities • Offering demonstrations or hands-on activities for students Let’s explore ways for your company to get involved! Contact us at manufacturing@ocsb.ca
high schools offering manufacturing courses
A complete list of SHSM programs offered by the OCSB can be found at ocsb.ca/shsm.
A great place to work !
OLYMEL CORNWALL
Who are we? The name Olymel is rooted in a long tradition of excellence and is known to have some of the best practices in the food industry. We express our core values in many ways, such as never compromising on quality, continuously improving our performance in order to better serve customers, and constantly striving to inspire trust.
What’s new at Olymel Cornwall? Continued growth is an expression that can be used to describe Olymel Cornwall in recent years. Whether it be through the introduction of state-of-the-art processing equipment or the addition of skilled human resources, the facility continues to innovate and evolve in becoming a key player for the Olymel family.
Interested in working at Olymel Cornwall? You can apply via email to hrcornwall@olymel.com
What makes us different? Employees have the opportunity to earn attendance bonuses, obtain health and dental benefits. They benefit from a consistent work schedule and also have the opportunity to purchase food products with our employee discount program. We also have bus transportation available for most shifts as well as opportunities for advancement.
A bright future Increased presence in the community and partnerships with nonprofit and charitable organizations has helped spread the company’s philanthropic message of “Feeding the World”. As the facility celebrates its 19th year anniversary, the future of the business is bright and Olymel Cornwall has become not only a major employer in the city but a company that is ready to rise to the challenge of what lies ahead. OLYMEL CORNWALL
2330 Industrial Park Drive
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Cornwall, ON
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613-932-3040