Two students visit a booth during CMTS 2013. (Photo: Nick Healey/Canadian metalworking)
TORonTO Since their origins trade shows have had an obvious end game – to showcase goods, and have them bought.
But at this year’s iteration of CMTS (Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show), there was more than just new machinery and equipment being hawked.
Throughout the event there was a noticeable undercurrent driving the conversations amongst the attendees. There was a tangible feeling that manufacturing is vital to Canada, and this industry needs attention – not just now, but well into the future.
The challenges are obvious, and have been for some time. An ageing workforce, coupled with a lack of incoming workers is going to make for a very hollow manufacturing base in the future. Unless, of course, something changes.
Thats wher Student Day comes in.
On Thursday, October 3, the final day of the show, students from both high schools and colleges were invited to The International Centre in Toronto to see firsthand some of the equipment they could be working with once they enter the workforce.
And not only that, but the day also aimed to educate students about what sort of possibilities existed beyond simply working on the shop floor.
Like any profession, manufacturing has a lot of opportunity for growth – an idea that often gets lost on people considering a career in the field.
Shaun Thorson, the CEO of Skills Canada, spoke to the audience of students gathered at the show.
“There’s great opportunity in skilled trades careers,” he said.
“There’s a lot of great things you can do in the manufacturing industry, and you’re really only being held back by your own vision, and passion that you decide to put into it, or not put into it.”
Following Thorson’s message, Joe Poulin, sales manager for Hurco Canada, presented his “Cycle Start” project, a video series that will detail the life of a machinist.
Theres no doubt the unique video, with a machining demonstration set to a hip-hop track in the background, caught the attention of the younger audience.
“I wanted to create a reality show for machinists so people understand, so people get inspired,” Poulin said.
“You start with a trade, whatever it is, there’s a lot of direction you take. Whether it’s an applications guy with a machine tool company… whether it’s a foreman in a shop – maybe some of you will own a shop one day.
“There are so many other (paths) you can take other than just working a trade.”
Duane Henry, who studies precision machining at Georgian College, summed up the event.
“It was great,” he said. “I saw a lot. I liked all the CNC machines.”
Although, Henry couldn’t quite manage to escape the overwhelming presence of this year’s show, which was spread across the International Centre’s five halls.
“There wasn’t enough time to see all the stuff – it’s a lot!”
The presentation also ended on a particularly high note, with two students winning a draw, and going home with new iPads.
The first in Hurcos series of Cycle Start videos:
