CTMA’s Career-Ready program bridges MTDMA sector employment gap

Kinyara King demonstrates the new Kardex storage system to Mona Fortier, minister of middle-class prosperity, during a visit to Cavalier Tool, Windsor, Ont. Cavalier President Brian Bendig discusses its operation with Irek Kusmierczyk, member of parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh. Photo courtesy of Lori Kennedy.

Designed to help close the skilled-trades gap in the machine, tool, die, mould, and automation (MTDMA) sectors, and in support of the automotive manufacturing industry, the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) has extended its Career-Ready program for another year.

First launched in 2019, Career-Ready with CTMA was designed to connect employers and youth to spur more highly qualified workers, as employers have expressed difficulty in recruiting skilled employees.

This program is beneficial for employers seeking to fill positions relevant to the automotive industry and for post-secondary co-op students, recent graduates, and potential new apprentices looking for placements to gain practical workplace skills and experience.

“One thing that the Career-Ready with CTMA program really excels at, is that it provides opportunities for people to gain real-world skills and knowledge whether that be on the shop floor or in the engineering office. Our participants are surrounded by highly skilled, experienced people who are able to teach and demonstrate best practices on an everyday basis, so learning new skills are achieved exponentially faster,” said Robert Cattle, CTMA’s executive director.

Work Placements

The placement program provides up to 240 experiential work placements for co-op students or recent graduates from Ontario’s publicly assisted post-secondary institutions, as well as potential new apprentices. Work placements run for 10 to 16 weeks, and consecutive placements are permitted within the program’s time frame.

“The program also offers participants a ‘foot in the door’ for career opportunities. It is their chance to show manufacturers that they are right person they need, that they can show up on time, stay late when needed, and that they want to learn,” said Cattle.

New to the program for 2020 is an advanced manufacturing stream supporting the automotive industry. This type of advanced manufacturer includes those that develop and adopt innovative technologies to create new products, enhance processes, and establish more efficient and cost-effective ways of working. Thirty per cent of their total sales revenue must come from the automotive supply sector.

This category also includes advanced manufacturers that have shifted to produce medical supplies and equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know this has been a challenging year, especially in terms of finances,” said Cattle. “This is where the Career-Ready with CTMA program can help, as it assists employers with the cost of hiring and training these individuals.”

Eligible employers will receive $3,000 to $5,000 in funding for each work placement to assist with the costs. If an employer uses consecutive placements, this amount can grow to $15,000. Funding is available for up to 12 candidates per employer. This limit ensures that multiple employers across Ontario can benefit from the program and that funding is disbursed in a controlled, fair manner.

Businesses are not required to be members of the CTMA to apply for the Career-Ready program. If needed, the CTMA can also help match an employer with potential screened and assessed candidates.

All participating employers must follow a list of industry-specific Technical Learning Outcomes (TLOs), and monitored visits will be conducted during the work placements—in person or virtually.

“The monitoring visits are an integral part of the program because this is how we measure that progress is being made throughout the length of the placement,” said Cattle.

During each monitoring visit, Cattle reviews the TLOs with the designated trainer, which can be tailored to fit each placement and company. These visits allow the participant to demonstrate the new skills and competencies they have learned, and their progress is updated continually.

“Being the monitor for our program, I have the enviable position to see first-hand the diversity of placements throughout this program and just how quickly the participants learn new skills and competencies,” said Cattle. “They are always willing to show me what they have learned, and their pride is evident while doing so.”

Candidates are paid at least $14 per hour by their employers for the duration of the placement.

Program Advantages

“Advantages of the Career-Ready program include the ability to assist in covering the costs of training new employees, encouraging our youth and new graduates into the industry, and the pride of promoting economic development in Ontario,” said Lori Kennedy, Cavalier Tool. “Career-Ready not only helps address these needs, but also the obligations we have as good corporate citizens to perpetuate skilled trades and manufacturing. Given the growth that Cavalier Tool has had over the last few years, this incentive is appreciated and has helped us fill the skills gap the industry is experiencing.”

Each candidate works alongside experienced tradespeople, skilled workers, and other professionals who provide the opportunity to gain real-world skills and knowledge. Upon successful completion, candidates could be offered permanent employment.

“The Career-Ready program gave me the chance to further my knowledge in the mouldmaking industry by working at Cavalier Tool, and it allowed me to continue in my post-secondary schooling without having to worry about the financial part of it,” said Kinyara King, a 2019 Career-Ready participant. “Without this funding, a lot of what I am doing now would not be possible. The Career-Ready program has helped me develop my skills and pursue my career.”

Employers hiring co-op students, recent graduates, and new apprentices after April 1, 2020, are eligible for funding through the Career-Ready with CTMA program, which runs until March 31, 2021.

Hiring grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Ontario-based employers meeting the program’s eligibility criteria.

This article was supplied by the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association, 140 McGovern Drive, Unit #3, Cambridge, Ont. N2H 4R7, 519-653-7265, www.ctma.com/career-ready.