A new computerized milling machine donated to Burnsview Secondary will give students at the North Delta school insight into what a career in machining involves, with an eye towards filling a skills gap in that industry.
Last month, the school received a state-of-the-art Haas desktop computer numeric control (CNC) mill donated by the BC Metal Manufacturers Advisory Group (BCMMAG) through the Construction Foundation of BC.
“Haas produces world-class automated machinery, and Burnsview is thrilled to be the 10th school in B.C. to receive one of their CNC desktop mills,” Sami Shah, woodworking teacher at Burnsview, said in a press release.
“Burnsview students will be on the leading edge of modern applied design skills and technology for the Lower Mainland as hands-on learning of the intricacies of automated CNC machining will now be a competency in both woodwork and metalwork curriculums.”
Metalwork teacher and Train in Trades Program advisor at Burnsview Tim Franzke said the mill will also help shine a light on technology education in Canada.
“In other parts of the world with strong manufacturing sectors, students have had ready access to this type of machinery and training. In contrast, most high school programs here in Canada rely heavily on donations from local companies,” Franzke said in a press release.
“We are so thankful to the BCMMAG for this generous donation. Students are excited to start using the new equipment when they return to school in the fall.”
The BCMMAG is a collaboration between Udo Jahn (owner of Delta-based Modern Engineering), the Construction Foundation of BC, metalwork teacher Courtenay Rimaldi of Mission Senior Secondary School, Thomas Skinner & Son Ltd., and other B.C. businesses. The organization’s aim is to get mills like this into every school district in B.C. as a way of promoting machining as a viable career option and filling the current skills gap in the machining industry.
Last year, Delta Secondary School received an identical mill through this same initiative.
Jahn, who is also one of the Construction Foundation’s major donors, and was at Burnsview to witness delivery of the new mill on June 22, said the group is looking to “create a model of support for schools to help them make manufacturing and machining a destination for young people.”
“We are trying to figure out what schools need in order to support this effort, and since Modern Engineering is located in Delta, we picked another school in the Delta School District for this latest donation. What we learn from this will help us to support other school districts in the future,” Jahn said in a press release.
Jahn also participated in the school district’s career and hiring fair on June 8, and said he found it interesting that many of the young people he met did not have a career in mind.
“Many young people just wanted a job,” Jahn said. “I think our efforts and participation at the job fair level and within the school level will help direct young people to the various skilled job opportunities in manufacturing.
“Many companies complain they cannot find people. We believe that we are not running out of people, but we are running out of skilled people. To get more skilled people, we need to be training and that starts at the high school level. The earlier we start more training and skill development, the faster we will solve the skills gap.”
Lisa Chapieski, student options and opportunities co-ordinator at the Delta School District, commended Jahn for his support of trades training for local students.
“Udo’s commitment to promoting manufacturing as a valuable and rewarding career option for students is extremely strong, and we feel extremely lucky to have his support here in our district,” Chapieski said in a press release.
“In addition to his efforts with the BCMMAG, he has hired several Delta School District grads in the past and recently hired two more students from Delta Secondary School to work at Modern Engineering over the summer.”
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editor@northdeltareporter.com
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