Gene Haas Foundation announces scholarships for Georgian’s skilled trades students
June 12, 2015
Georgian College student Tyler Magri (right) presents Dan Ferko, President, Sirco Machinery Company Ltd., with a custom engraved Gene Haas Foundation logo. Ferko announced a $36,000 donation to awards and scholarships for Georgian students on behalf of the foundation. Magri millled the aluminum plaque on a Haas CNC machine.
The machining industry offers lucrative careers and the Gene Haas Foundation wants to help Georgian students who are pursuing this type of skills training.
Dan Ferko, President of Sirco Machinery Company Ltd., a Haas Factory Outlet, announced a donation of $36,000 for scholarships for students from the Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills program.
“Every day, we hear many of our customers lament the fact that they simply cannot find skilled personnel to operate their new CNC machine tools. We want to help change the incorrect perception that skilled trades are undesirable jobs. We’re proud to partner with Georgian College to support the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals,” says Ferko, on behalf of the Gene Haas Foundation.
This is the second consecutive year the foundation has contributed to this scholarship fund, for a total of more than $80,000. Last year, 51 Georgian students who met the academic criteria received a scholarship.
One of them was Tyler Magri, who will be representing Canada at the World Skills Competition in Brazil this summer. After qualifying at the Skills Ontario and Skills Canada competitions, he will be the sole Canadian representative in the computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling category.
“The scholarship from the Gene Haas Foundation has really helped me out. I haven’t had much time for a part-time job since I’ve been training for the World Skills Competition. It’s helped me pay my tuition,” says Magri, who has been training up to 16 hours a week.
Magri’s favourite part of the program is the creativity he can apply.
“Every project has multiple paths to get to the finished product,” he says.
Kevin Weaver, Dean, Technology and Visual Arts, says partners such as Haas help strengthen Georgian’s program and attract top students like Magri.
“We are very grateful to the Gene Haas Foundation for helping us offer one of the best and largest manufacturing programs in the Ontario college system,” says Weaver.