Elliott-Matsuura donates to B.C. manufacturing advocacy group

The BC Metal Manufacturing Advisory Group (BCMMAG) fund has received a donation from Elliott-Matsuura Canada, Oakville, Ont., to support the group’s continuing efforts to raise awareness of the metal manufacturing trades in B.C.

The donation will support the group’s efforts to raise awareness of and accessibility to the manufacturing trades through purchases of desktop CNC milling machines and the costs associated with the funding of certification courses that serve B.C. students and educators.

Established in 2016 and administered through the Construction Foundation of British Columbia, the BCMMAG comprises industry leaders with a passion for manufacturing. Since its inception, the BCMMAG has worked to spread awareness of the manufacturing sector to students and educators across the province of B.C.

“I was having dinner with Udo Jahn of Modern Engineering and through our conversations I realized that the BCMMAG was something that we would like to participate in,” said Vince D’Alessio, president of Elliott-Matsuura. “Developing skills and providing funding are key areas of manufacturing that are needed to help grow the industry, and the BCMMAG is a key component in introducing future trades workers to that industry.”

Elliott-Matsuura’s team of manufacturing professionals includes more than 80 employees that provide sales, service, and engineering/manufacturing support to customers across Canada. D’Alessio himself has been involved with manufacturing for 41 years and recognizes the importance of establishing a connection with future workers at the high school level.

“The reason I made my career in manufacturing was a result of the exposure I had in the high school machine shop,” said D’Alessio. “It is important that we expose and educate young students in all careeropportunities. Our schools tend to emphasize academic careers, not the skilled trades.”

Six years removed from the initial launch of the BCMMAG, the group has continued to make impressive strides. This donation signals the team's most recent success story and will aid in the efforts to outfit schools with new equipment while ensuring that educators who have access to this equipment are trained and knowledgeable about its uses.

To learn more or to donate, visit www.bcmmag.ca.