Unique Tool builds its own future mold makers

One mold maker exhibiting at NPE2018 can talk as much about attracting young people to the trade as it can its latest tooling programs: Unique Tool & Gauge Inc. of Windsor, Ontario.

The company has started a new one-year structured training program, working with high school juniors, college students interested in manufacturing and other people interested in a career in mold making.

The reason why is obvious to anyone in any manufacturing, tooling and construction company.

"Out of necessity," said President Darcy King. "We have a shortage of skilled workers in our trade, and throughout the years, we've tried everything to recruit and hire people that we need to run our operation and grow our operation."

That makes it hard to run a business.

"We decided to take matters in our own hands," he said.

One key feature is that Unique Tool has named a dedicated instructor — Bob Clifford — and taken him away from shop floor production duties.

"We've assigned one of our master mold makers to serve full time as lead instructor for this program," King said. He added the program stresses safety as the most important aspect of work.

They are learning on modern metalworking machinery. Unique Tool & Gauge invests 10-15 percent of sales in new technology, King said.

The automotive toolmaker is working with the Greater Essex County School District's Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), a school-to-work program in the skilled trades, and the Dual Credit Program of St. Clair College in Windsor.

The first eight students began working at Unique Tool in February. Those who successfully complete the program will graduate Feb. 1, 2019. Six of the students are high school juniors through OYAP. Two are from St. Clair College.

All eight are working full time at Unique Tool & Gauge, where they receive both salary and benefits.

The high schoolers are from three Windsor-area schools: Herman High School, Villanova High School and General Amherst High School. Following the end of the one-year program, the students will return to their schools for their senior year of high school.

For those enrolled in the eight-week St. Clair general machinist program, they will return to complete the second half of their schooling. When they graduate, they will come back to Unique Tool and take full-time jobs to begin their career.

The initial investment by the mold maker is about C$500,000 (US$350,000). New trainees will come every year and, over time, the company estimates the investment in the program will run C$1 million per year as the effort continues.

Unique Tool employs about 100 people.

"Everyone in our company is really excited about what we're doing here," King said. "When we finally get these kids, they're productive and they know what they're doing. They're excited about it."

That's important. Another key is to give them a well-rounded, hands-on learning experience, covering a range of skills, including computer numerical control (CNC) machining, computer-based mold design, electrical discharge (EDI) machining, tight-tolerance work and mold construction. Everything is outlined with details on what the students learn and when. King said as a smaller mold maker, his company can provide new people with a bigger-picture look at the trade than some of Windsor's giant automotive mold makers.

King sees resumes of local toolmakers who are experienced but only know how to do one thing.

"A lot of these kids fall through the cracks and sometimes quit. Because what happens is we're trying to get molds out the door," King said, and veteran toolmakers don't have the time or energy to help train. That's why a full-time trainer is important.

"I wanted to give them a little sample of everything," he said. "You learn better when you understand things."

And those big mold makers clustered around Windsor also need employees, increasing the need for companies the size of Unique to seek out workers.

"It is very competitive," King said. "That's one of the things that we've got to be concerned with, is other people trying to approach our people."

Another advantage of hiring people new to tooling is the chance to start with someone fresh, instead of getting all job candidates only from other mold makers.

"We are filling that gap. And I think over a long period of time, we'll raise the quality and the level of skills of our employees throughout our operations because we get to train them our way and we get to train them with our mindset," King said.

He thinks other mold makers should set up programs to help young people — even those still in high school — considering the trade. "That's one of our biggest issues currently in the mold making industry; in the next 10 years, it's going to get worse if we don't do something about it," King said.

​