Manufacturing Expo held at NSHS

Thirteen area companies participated in a manufacturing expo that CAMM brought to North Star High School Oct. 20.

Students in technical programs at North Star High School got a glimpse into what their future could look like last week.

A manufacturing expo was held in gym C of the Amherstburg public high school with numerous manufacturing companies on hand to showcase what they do and give students a look at what they offer. The expo was held in partnership with the Canadian Association of Mold Makers (CAMM).

Nicole Vlanich, executive director with CAMM, said Manufacturing Day in Ontario is the first Friday of October but CAMM decided to expand the idea and make it Manufacturing Month. 

Vlanich said it allows students to find a career path and help guide them in directions they may wish to pursue. She added OYAP and co-op students can find out more regarding places they want to go.

“Last year, every company that participated got at least one co-op or OYAP student from every school,” said Vlanich.

The expo at North Star High School is not the only one happening in the region that CAMM is a part of. Vlanich said there are seven schools and 13 companies participating this year, up from ten companies and five schools in 2025.

Last year was the first year manufacturing expos were presented.

Students are “asking good questions” and showing genuine interest in a career in manufacturing and mold making, she added.

“Something is working,” she said of their efforts.

Glen Holden, manufacturing teacher at North Star High School, said there are many opportunities for young people in the trades and the school wants to help show what they are.

“We want to get kids to understand what they can do after high school,” said Holden. 

“They have so many opportunities after they graduate from high school.”

The manufacturing expo was a way to showcase opportunities and allow them to see what was in the trades.

In addition to the expo in one of the gymnasiums, the Skills Ontario Trades Truck was also at North Star Oct. 20-22 with the focus on visits from feeder school students Oct. 21-22, Holden said. He added the Trades & Tech Truck is a mobile unit of fun experiential learning with activities and simulators students can explore skilled trades and technologies in a unique and hands-on way.

Manufacturing Expo held at NSHS

By Ron Giofu