Georgian College to send student to WorldSkills

(l to r) Conestoga College Professor Louis Dropka; Georgian College Professor Jurgen Hierholzer; Jonathan Adair; and Sirco Machinery – Haas Factory Outlet President Dan Ferko celebrate winning gold at Sirco’s recent open house.

Jonathan Adair, a recent graduate of Georgian College, Barrie, Ont., will represent Canada at the 2017 WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after winning the gold medal in the CNC category at the Canadian national competition held in June.

Adair will compete in the CNC milling competition in UAE, which will be held in September 2017.

“I’ll spend the next year trying to become a better machinist and getting more proficient with Mastercam,” said Adair at the recent Haas Factory Outlet -- Sirco Machinery Co. Demo Day open house. “When you are in competition, it’s important to use your time as best you can, so reducing cutting time, especially roughing time, is important. The software can help you do that.”

According to Jurgen Hierholzer, professor of precision skills, engineering technology, and environmental studies at Georgian, Adair also will need to become proficient with more advanced milling operations, such as dynamic milling, before the next step of the competition.

“Only 10 years ago the group we were able to pull together was so small,” explained Louis Dropka, professor in the school of technology at Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont., who oversees the CNC machining competition. “We would have to scrounge for tools and equipment. It was tough. It’s great to see companies like Haas, Sandvik, Mastercam, and Mitutoyo supporting this event.”

The Gene Haas Foundation recently donated U.S.$60,000 to Skills Canada for scholarships and skills training.