Molding the Future of Industry with OYAP

There are great things happening in the Manufacturing room at North Star High School in Amherstburg.

and machining working on an Integrity component.”

By Matthew St. Amand

A recent event showcased equipment provided to the school by Oldcastle’s tool and mold outfit, Integrity, the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA), and investment by the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB). It is all part of the Ontario Youth Apprentice Program (OYAP), that gives students an opportunity to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations through the Cooperative Education program. It also affords them the chance to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.

North Star tech teacher, Glen Holden, conducted the tour of the Manufacturing room.

“A VF1 donated by Integrity, which is a computer numerical control (CNC) machine used for precision machining,” Glen explains. “It’s a three-axis, great quality machine… students are able to learn the basics of CNC programming

A series of Rousseau tool cabinets and toolboxes were also donated by Integrity, as well as two new milling machines and two new lathes.

He moves onto another large machine and explains: “The TMI 1, through the original CTMA grant—it’s a $60,000, $70,000 dollar U.S. machine— three axis, great for training students in coding and basic CNC.”

The second part of the CTMA grant brought two desktop machines that students use for cutting and engraving metal and acrylic.

The third installment of the CTMA grant purchased carbide cutters used in the CNC machines, as well as two enormous new cabinets filled with tools: calipers, micrometers and a variety of hand tools. The GECDSB funded the acquisition of four remaining milling machines, four lathes, and a Lincoln Electric CNC plasma table.

“We’re lucky here,” Glen says, “basically all brand-new equipment, tooling and cutters to help train students for, potentially, a future in the trades. This is probably the best equipped manufacturing shop in the province at the high school level.”

These big dollar donations and grants were made for one reason: there is tremendous need in industry for new skilled workers to fill vacancies created by those moving into retirement. OYAP has played an integral role in preparing young people with skills that will provide them work for life. Industry embraces them.

“OYAP students are important to Integrity because they are our future team members,” says Lindsay Ken- nedy, Human Resources Generalist with Integrity, “so there is no better way to learn our processes, the trade, the industry than by working and learning on the job. We really value the OYAP program.”

Lindsay goes on to say that one of the most valuable qualities a team member can bring with them to Integrity is a willingness to learn.

Louis Jahn, Vice President of the CTMA, commented: “Our involvement is to get people interested in the trades, especially the machining trades. So we have done something that’s completely unprecedented—we secured $5 million in funding and we’re going to high schools all over Ontario. We’re putting equipment into their shops so students have a good baseline when they enter the workforce.”

North Star student Evan Buratto has been involved with OYAP for two years and is working/training at Integrity. What drew him to the program?

“I was interested in something more hands-on, getting out of the school environment and trying something different and making money at the same time. I love it at Integrity, there are a lot of friendly people there. I like the work I do in the pre-inspection assembly mold group.”

OYAP students are also part of the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program where they receive sector-related training, such as Forklift Operation and Working at Heights. SHSM students from all sectors receive First Aid and CPR certification which ensures they are an asset in the workplace from the moment they step through the door.

The training students receive goes beyond the job skills. Rod Levesque, Co-Op teacher at North Star explains: “The students come back to the school a few times a year for Integration Days. During those days, I bring in a financial planner because the students will make, by the end of the year, about $30,000. We encourage them to be sensible with their money, show them some scenarios—‘If you put away even $50 a week starting when you’re sixteen, you’ll eventually have this much.’ With money comes responsibility.”

The OYAP and SHSM programs have opened the door to good jobs for thousands of students. More information about it can be found at oyap.ca and ontario.ca/shsm. GECDSB students from all secondary schools are encouraged to contact their guidance counsellors for more information. Employers who are looking for Co-Op students in the Manufacturing sector, or beyond, can reach out to Jason Lepain jason.lepain@publicboard.ca or Justin St. Pierre justin.stpierre@publicboard.ca. W.E.