As Canada continues to grapple with the challenges of an aging workforce, there’s no better time to consider today’s youth as potential skilled workers for tomorrow. That’s the message from organizers of FABTECH Canada 2012, Canada’s first exclusive fabricating, metal forming and welding event, making its debut next week at the Toronto Congress Centre, March 20-22.
“If we are going to maintain our strong manufacturing base, we need to find innovative ways to support and encourage students to pursue a career in manufacturing,” said Rodney Grover, Senior Development Officer, for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), which is co-organizing the three-day event along with the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and the American Welding Society (AWS).
Pointing to statistics from The Conference Board of Canada that indicate 48 per cent of the Canadian workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next five to 10 years and that the province of ontario alone will need to attract an additional 350,000 workers by 2025 in order to achieve strong economic growth, Grover emphasized the importance of attracting youth to the manufacturing sector. FABTECH Canada is doing its part to stimulate interest, he added, by hosting a special Student Tours session, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an opportunity for hundreds of students and their instructors to get a firsthand look at show exhibits.
Canada’s premier industry event in metal forming, welding and fabricating, FABTECH Canada 2012 features a comprehensive showcase of the latest industry technologies, tools and trends geared towards the needs of this country’s estimated 1.5 million manufacturing employees. Event highlights include:
A “turbo-charged” keynote address by TV host and champion race car driver Andrew Comrie-Picard, Tuesday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Comrie-Picard is expected to wow his audience with stories from the field, inspiring attendees to balance human intuition with engineering principles in pressure situations as they search for ways to re-style their businesses or industries.
· Product Showcase – An extensive showcase of 255 represented companies from the fabricating, metal forming and welding industries, including more than 75 new products, complete with a New Product guide. Featured technologies range from arc welding, finishing, hydroforming and lasers to punching, robotics, software and tooling.
· FAB LAB – An interactive educational component located on the show floor that is designed to facilitate the exchange of technical information in an intimate, bar-style setting. The sessions are complimentary, with limited seating available. To register, e-mail jpike@sme.org.
· Comprehensive Conference – 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., March 20-21; 10:15 a.m. to 12: 15 p.m. on March 22. Topics include: the fundamentals of laser welding; high-power laser applications; essential tips for welding aluminum; the future of welding; comparative cutting; tube and pipe forming; roll forming; and, brake and punch fabricating.
· Town Hall Panel Discussion – Wednesday, March 21, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – A panel of experts will discuss “The Secrets of Competitive Manufacturing in Canada,” covering topics such as productivity improvements, automation, supply chain, global competitiveness and government funding.
“FABTECH has an unsurpassed reputation across North America,” said SME’s Grover. “At FABTECH Canada, we’ve taken that expertise and tailored our inaugural event to suit the needs of Canada’s growing manufacturing sector, including an emphasis on attracting youth.”
Being launched in response to growing demand in metal fabrication and to better represent an important industry that many Canadian businesses rely on every day, FABTECH Canada will also provide numerous opportunities for learning and networking.
about the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org)
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the worlds leading resource for manufacturing information and knowledge. With Canadian headquarters in Toronto, the society promotes an increased awareness of the value of manufacturing among industry professionals and the general public, while supporting educational initiatives and introducing career options for those entering the industry. For half a million manufacturing engineers, executives and members in more than 70 countries around the globe, SME is the source for knowledge, networking and skills development opportunities that help them advance their careers, their companies and their industries. For more than 33 years, the SME Education Foundation has been inspiring, preparing and supporting future innovators for the manufacturing industry. For more information about our initiative, including how you can contribute, contact Rodney Grover at rgrover@sme.org or 313-424-3222.
about Fabricators Manufacturers Association
The Fabricators Manufacturers Association, headquartered in Rockford, Ill., is a non-profit educational association dedicated exclusively to metal forming and fabricating professionals. Founded in 1970, it is considered the worlds largest educational association for its industry, with thousands of members worldwide. FMA provides in-depth technical information and educational opportunities through conferences, award-winning magazines, extensive research services, and co-sponsorship of FABTECH.
about American Welding Society
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, non-profit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Fla., and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 70,000 members worldwide and consists of 22 districts with 250 sections and student chapters.
For more information on FABTECH Canada 2012 or to register for the event, visit www.fabtechcanada.com.
