Three HDSB Students recognized for metalworking excellence

Three HDSB Grade 12 students have been selected to receive the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association's (CTMA) High School Award. Among only 10 in the province to receive the award, Maddox McCormick from M.M. Robinson HS, Aidan Seepersaud from Burlington Central HS and Aidan Carby from Garth Webb SS all received recognition for their proficiency in metalworking skills and positive attitude. Winners of the High School Award receive a $1,000 prize, a Certificate of Achievement acknowledging their contribution to the future of the precision metalworking industry and a Turner’s Cube trophy made by Rapid Enterprises engraved with their name.

Maddox McCormick says receiving the CTMA High School Award is a recognition of all the effort he’s put in throughout high school. “Getting this award to me means that all the work I have done in and out of class – be it robotics, the EV Challenge, or even coming early or staying late to class – was worth it.” The award also gives him confidence in his future path. He appreciates “knowing there is a future in the career I would like to get into, and people backing it to make sure there always will be,” he says, “I am very thankful for them.”

Both Maddox’s classroom learning and co-op experience have played a role in preparing him for the future. “The work we have done in class has had meaning and reason to it all,” he says, explaining that he has found what he learned in class to be valuable beyond the school setting. “The skills that I learned proved useful when I went off to my co-op in a real shop environment.” 

When asked what advice he would give to other students interested in the trades, Maddox recommends diving in head first and exploring as many avenues as possible. “Almost all the skills I have learned are transferable or have transferable aspects. So even if you don't end up going into trades, they leave you with valuable skills that you can utilize your entire life.”

Reflecting on the CTMA award, Aidan Seepersaud says the recognition affirms his positive high school experience. “This can help me solidify my belief that I had a very fulfilling high school career and I had a very high impact during my five years in high school,” he shares.

Aidan brings both talent and passion to the trades. “My interest in precision machining stems from me wanting to work with my hands and create things, as well as my skillset of being able to program,” he explains.

Looking ahead, Aidan plans to apply his knowledge of G-code to program a range of machinery, including CNC mills, lathes, plasma cutters and EDM machines. With a clear vision for his future, he is set to begin an apprenticeship in CNC machining and welding after graduation, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling and rewarding career in the trades.

​Aidan Carby will be taking Welding and Fabrication at Conestoga College after graduation, then plans to get his Red Seal and open his own business one day.

“I appreciate receiving the CTMA Award and the recognition for the work that I put into robotics and my courses,” Aidan says.

Participating in Garth Webb Secondary School’s FIRST Robotics team played a big part in Aidan’s passion for the skilled trades. “Robotics prepared me for the future by providing industry skills that go beyond the classroom, strengthened my ability to work as a team, and helped me grow as a leader.”

Aidan would recommend that anyone considering the trades give them a try: “that’s what I did and how I grew to enjoy it so much.”