CMTS 2025 panelists, Student Day organizers to sound alarm bells that Canada needs a new generation of skilled machinists now more than ever

Toronto, ON, September 18, 2025 - Canadian manufacturers have been expressing concerns about a growing labour shortage for years, an issue they emphasize is negatively impacting their operations as well as the economy. Now, in the face of rising U.S. tariffs, the need for skilled workers is greater than ever and can actually help protect companies against global trade volatility and propel industry growth.

That's the message of Vince D'Alessio, President of Elliott-Matsuura Canada, one of the country's leading suppliers of manufacturing machinery. "The only way to guard against trade tariff uncertainties is to become very efficient and globally competitive," he said. "In addition to a strong local supplier infrastructure, this requires higher level skills training to support manufacturing."

In recent years, labour shortages have been accelerated due to an aging workforce, a lack of skilled tradespeople, and difficulties in interesting younger generations to enter the manufacturing profession.

D'Alessio will express the urgency of attracting the next generation to the industry as a speaker for the Executive Perspectives program at the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) 2025 - Canada's national industry event - which takes place at the Toronto Congress Centre from September 29 to October 2.

He will join Peter Sheridan, President of EMEC Machine Tools, Marc Hasrouny, President of Megatel CNC Solutions Inc. & the CMTDA, and David Andrews, General Manager of Mazak Corporation in a panel session, called ReTooling the Future: Navigating Workforce Gaps, Global Shocks, and the Smart Tech Revolution, on Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m.

The session will be followed on Oct. 2 by SME's Bright Minds Student Summit at CMTS, which is expected to bring 150 high school students from across Ontario to the show floor for a tour and educational sessions in an effort to open their eyes to the benefits of a career in high-tech manufacturing.

"High-tech manufacturing has changed significantly over the last 20 years - being a machinist used to be more hands-on, involving mundane tasks, and manufacturing environments were dirty and smelly," said Sheridan. "Now, a career in high-tech manufacturing is more like engineering than a skilled trade. It involves working in beautiful environments at a computer, designing, programming, and using the latest in automation, robotic and AI technologies to do things more productively and creatively," he said, adding that working in the industry can also provide opportunities for young talent to start their own businesses making manufacturing parts of their choice.

Sheridan emphasized that to boost manufacturing in Canada, federal and provincial governments need to commit to investing in educational training in post-secondary schools, as well as providing incentives for apprenticeships and new equipment purchases within businesses themselves.

"We talk that we want manufacturing to come back to Canada, but we're not actually doing anything about it," Sheridan said, pointing out that machine shop and welding programs that used to be offered in every school no longer exist. "The federal and provincial governments need to take some ownership to bring manufacturing back to Canada and that starts with training, education and building awareness among the next generation of workers that manufacturing is a great career."

Andrews emphasized that the combined efforts of government, industry, educators, and parents must start early to be effective. "Before kids get to high school, we need to show them that manufacturing is not the dirty, labour-intensive work of the past, but can be exciting, with 3D simulations, amazing manufacturing equipment and robotics," he said. "Then we need government to support it with programs, funding and education to teach curriculums that align with the industry's needs both today and in the future."

Hasrouny added that it's critical to bridge the skilled trades gap before it widens further. "Manufacturers can lead the charge in rebuilding Canada's skilled workforce, but in order to do so, it will take government support, early education outreach, industry-led training programs, and succession strategies to capture knowledge before it's lost," he said.

About CMTS 2025

Featuring the latest equipment and technology advancements in machine tools, tooling, metalworking, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation, CMTS 2025 is expected to draw more than 10,000 professionals in all areas of the industry, including automotive, aerospace, energy, government, commercial, industrial, and oil and gas. The show will present 750+ suppliers and OEMs, three major technology showcases and a national cross-section of decision-makers shaping the future of Canadian manufacturing.

CMTS 2025 is presented by non-profit SME, with strategic event partners including Canadian Machine Tool Distributors Association, Canadian Tooling & Machining Association, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CWB-EWI, and NGen.

Industry supporters include AI4Manufacturing Canada, Automate Canada, Anada-ASEAN Business Council, Canadian Association of Moldmakers, Canada Makes, Dental Industry Association of Canada, Export Development Canada, Italian Trade Agency, Machines Italia, Ontario Centre of Innovation and the VR/AR Association.
For more information and to register for the event, visit www.cmts.ca.