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Precision Skills student rises to top of his trade and starts local career

Sept. 17, 2024

In just two years at С�Ŷ���Ƶ, Ethan McCallum, a student from Orillia in the , has already made a name for himself in his trade and most recently on the world stage. He was one of 28 Team Canada members who traveled to Lyon, France for the 2024 where 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions competed in 59 skill areas for the title of world champion in their trade. Ethan competed in the and despite not taking home a medal, he received the highest score of any Canadian in the history of this competition.

Set to graduate in fall 2024, Ethan will enter the workplace equipped with skills and experience thanks to his co-op work term, countless industry connections and two gold medals from provincial and national skilled trades competitions.

High school co-op sparks interest in precision machining

Ethan’s passion for precision machining began during his high school co-op where he worked in a performance race shop, developing skills to make precision components using manual machining equipment. He enjoys being hands on and creative and loves the flexibility of the industry. The sky is the limit when it comes to career options from open tolerance custom work to precision projects. He has even created parts for his motorcycle, built a sterling engine, and made parts for racecars and snowmobiles.

“I enjoy the constant development and evolution of the trade. It’s interesting to see how these developments impact the industry. My career goal is to combine my knowledge in business and industry, to build my own precision machining business.”

Ethan McCallum

To build on his aspirations, he decided CNC (computer numerical control) machining would be a great career option and found the perfect program at С�Ŷ���Ƶ. The accreditation that comes with the program was a bonus for Ethan, plus being able to pursue an apprenticeship. He also hopes to become a mentor one day to inspire and develop the next generation.

At 19 years old in his first year at college, he was approached by his professor to enter , the top skilled trades competition in the province. In May 2023, Ethan won his first gold medal of the year in the CNC Machining category, a competition that С�Ŷ���Ƶ excels in historically. A few weeks later, he traveled to Winnipeg to compete with Team Ontario at where he earned his second gold medal.

Training, balance and strategy are key for success

For the past year, Ethan was busy training and preparing to compete at WorldSkills against top students from around the globe. At the same time, he was finishing his second year of studies at С�Ŷ���Ƶ and working full-time this past summer at Innovative Automation for his co-op.

Watch Ethan behind the scenes as he prepared for his WorldSkills experience.

He also had the opportunity to travel to Austria and visit DMG MORI, a manufacturer that provided the machines used at WorldSkills. Ethan worked alongside representatives from SkillsAustria for a two-and-a-half day training session, getting rare access that many of his competitors didn’t have. He was able to learn valuable skills that supported him in the competition and in the workplace.

“Strategy is a key component when programming the software I used at Skills and in my co-op,” he says. “There’s a large spectrum of potential positive and negative outcomes working with the machines. Lots of things can go wrong, so planning is important. That’s one thing I really enjoy about this work; taking notes on how to improve and learn.”

Balancing nine-to-ten-hour workdays with school and evening training sessions in С�Ŷ���Ƶ’s shop spaces along with other responsibilities was typical for Ethan. His training schedule was extremely condensed, and where other competitors had several years of experience under their belts, Ethan had just a few months. He says having a strong support system was crucial for success, including С�Ŷ���Ƶ faculty, and mentor Brett Austin. Brett has been part of the Skills competitions for years and says this work makes the industry exciting.

“We’ve got young people who are very interested in this field and want to soak up all the knowledge,” Brett says. “It’s motivating to see how invested they are in this work and learning the finer details. Knowing that there’s a younger generation ready and willing to learn made it feel like less of a job for me, and more exciting to want to come into work every day.”

New doors open to networking and endless career opportunities

Winning Skills Ontario and Skills Canada opened new doors for Ethan and generated exciting networking opportunities. He was invited to a fireside panel chat at Skills Ontario 2024 and met Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Education, and more. Ethan says his biggest takeaway from Skills is the network he gained, something that many don’t often recognize.

“The connections I’ve made throughout my time at С�Ŷ���Ƶ and through Skills are life changing. This carries on far beyond the competition, and I make sure to stay connected through platforms like LinkedIn and keep my profile up in the industry. I’ve also been asked to come back and volunteer for the next Skills Ontario, which could turn into a mentorship position.”

С�Ŷ���Ƶ’s Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills program is designed to touch on a broad range of manufacturing industries and offers students a variety of career paths to choose from. Students could pursue positions in tool and die, gauge making, injection molding, forging, automation, and so much more. The program is also heavily project-based, which was a great asset in helping Ethan prepare for the Skills competitions. He also enjoys creating his own personal custom projects and is constantly learning and practising.  

“For me, my most memorable moment at С�Ŷ���Ƶ was Skills, 100 per cent! The opportunities that followed were exponential and I would recommend it to any student. There’s really no downside; you invest some time and energy, but what you can achieve is unmatched.

All the things I’ve gained from Skills and С�Ŷ���Ƶ, including networking and career paths, have been because of time investment and personal motivation. What it really comes down to is yourself and how engaged and passionate you are. I truly feel excited to go to work every day and I love what I do.”

Ethan McCallum

Launching his career in his hometown

With graduation approaching, Ethan received a job offer from in Orillia and will start his career there. Being from Orillia himself, Ethan is looking forward to returning to his hometown and working in a local community.

“In the future, I could see myself doing more specialized apprenticeships beyond the general machinist; I’m specifically interested in injection molding and aerospace. I enjoy being challenged and absorbing as much knowledge as possible. I can’t wait to see where I’ll go, and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given thanks to С�Ŷ���Ƶ and Skills.”