Haas Automation, a long time supporter of the Skills Competitions in Canada, donated $50,000 to the Ontario Technological Skills organization to support ongoing training for skilled trades. The donation came through the Gene Haas Foundation, which supports skills training in North America.
Dan Ferko, president of Sirco Machinery, the Haas Factory Outlet for Eastern Canada, presented the cheque to the Skills Ontario’s Gail Smyth, executive director, and Shaun Scott, Chairman of the Board, during the Ontario Skills Competition held at R.I.M. Park in Waterloo, ON.
The Ontario Technological Skills Competition runs May 4-6 and includes competitions for a variety of trades, including precision machining, CNC machining and welding.
Louis R. Dropka, a professor in the School of Technology Trades & Apprenticeship at Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON, was at the event overseeing the CNC machining competition. He says eight students from different technical colleges in Ontario were participating in this year’s competition.
“This is a non-compete year for Skills Ontario Competition because of the WorldSkills event in Brazil in August. We’ll have a national competition in 2016 in which students we’ll be able to compete to advance to the next WorldSkills.”
He says industry support for the Skills Competition is important.
“Haas has been a great partner. They’ve been fantastic with their support for the competition.”
Other industry supporters include Sandvik Coromant, Miller Electric, Mitutoyo, In-House Solutions and Praxair.
