Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced more than $185,000 in funding for high-tech machinery in four schools in Perth and Wellington counties.
The schools and the amounts received include St. Mary's District Collegiate and Vocational Institute ($78,400); Stratford District Secondary School ($69,752), Wellington Heights Secondary School ($25,780) and Pathways Innovation Centre ($11,400).
Equipment delivery for the program began in November and include CNC milling centres, lathes, and plasma cutters to CNC desktop milling machines, high precision conventional milling machines, lathes with readouts. The schools will also receive tool kits and cutting tools.
“Our goal is to expose high school students to technology at an earlier age to engage their interest for a career within our industry,” said Robert Cattle, Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA) executive director said in a media release. “Not only does this expose students to newer technology at an earlier age, but also gives teachers up to date equipment to implement in their class rooms.”
The project, which includes the CTMA and the Ontario Council for Technology and Education, is funded through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Skills Development Fund.
Rae called the funding and equipment "great additions to our rural schools."
