Technical Training Group Stratford & Area

💥 Looking for a pathway into a stable, rewarding trade?💥

Whether you're a recent high school grad, looking to change careers, or wanting to up-skill for the Ontario manufacturing workforce, TTG’s upcoming Welding & General Machining Techniques Programs are designed for you!

Gain hands-on experience, learn blueprint reading and trade math, to help you build a competitive edge with local employers!

🗓️ WELDING TECHNIQUES • Deadline to Apply: August 15, 2026 (Starts Sept. 8​) • Schedule: Sept–June | 2 nights/week (6 PM–10 PM) • Locations: Stratford & Strathroy

🗓️ GENERAL MACHINING TECHNIQUES • Deadline to Apply: September 14, 2026 (Starts Oct. 6) • Schedule: Oct–May | 2 nights/week (6pm–10pm) • Location: Stratford

Spaces are limited and fill fast!

👉Learn more & apply: https://www.technicaltraininggroup.org/?tab=apprenticeships-tab

📞 Have questions? Give us a call at 519-801-8641 or email [email protected]

CELEBRATING AN INCREDIBLE YEAR AT TTG! 🎉
Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting!

It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on a year filled with milestones and celebrate the incredible people who make our mission possible.

🌟 Bittersweet Farewells & Deepest Gratitude
This past year brought substantial change to our leadership, making this AGM a celebratory but bittersweet milestone as we said goodbye to two foundational pillars of TTG:

Mike Doupe (Outgoing Board Chair): After 9 years of dedicated service, Mike is stepping down. We are profoundly grateful for his steady leadership, unwavering trust, and invaluable support. Mike’s immense contributions have left an indelible mark on TTG, guiding us through years of growth with true distinction.

Cavell Fraser (Retired Executive Director): After 9 exceptional years at the helm, Cavell has officially retired. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to Cavell for her visionary guidance, mentorship, support, and extraordinary knack for grant writing—an incredible talent that secured funding for countless life-changing programs. We are absolutely thrilled that Cavell will remain on the Board for an additional year to lend her expertise and ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Thank you, Mike and Cavell, for your combined 18 years of transformative leadership!

🤝 Welcoming Our New Leadership
As we look to the future, we are excited to announce our new leadership team:

We are pleased to welcome long-serving Board Member Sandy McCann as our new TTG Board Chair.

A huge congratulations to Shawn Bontaine, previously our Business Manager, who has transitioned into the role of Executive Director.

We are also thrilled to welcome Deb Franke, owner of A.J. Braun Manufacturing Limited, as the newest member of the TTG Board of Directors.

🏆 Celebrating Excellence & Service
Our community thrives because of dedication, and this year we recognized some truly outstanding individuals:

TTG Award of Excellence: Congratulations to Ben Colpitts (Level 3 Welder graduate) and Hayden Hinsche (Level 3 Metal Fabricator graduate)! This prestigious award recognizes Level 3 apprentices who embody excellence in technical mastery, professionalism, leadership, and teamwork. Well deserved!
5-Year Service Awards: A special shout-out to our incredible team members Marcia Thomson and Curtis Thomson for reaching this milestone. Thank you for half a decade of hard work and dedication.

🗺️ Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning
A special thank you to Vicki Lass for brilliantly guiding us through our recent strategic planning sessions. Her expertise helped us forge a robust 3-year strategic plan, anchoring us with strong internal controls and a deep, renewed commitment to local training and upskilling.

🎓 To Our Graduates & Community
Finally, a massive congratulations to all of our Apprentices and Program Participants who successfully completed their training this year! We are incredibly proud of your hard work and achievements.

As always, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our Instructors, Staff, Board Members, and Community Partners. Thank you for a great year! 🎉

Thank you so much to the incredible team at Tri-County Brick and everyone who came out to support! ✨

Tri-County Brick we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing commitment to the skilled trades and for investing in the future of our local apprentices and programs.

This incredible donation will go a long way in supporting hands-on training in our community. You guys rock! 🛠️👏

Thanks to everyone who came out for our open house and fundraiser for Technical Training Group Stratford & Area . With your help we were able to raise almost $2000!!!

⏳ ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT! TTG's Strathroy Pre-Apprenticeship Program Application Deadline is May 9!⏳

Are you ready to jumpstart your career in the trades? Our 2026 Strathroy Multiple Trades Exposure Program is closing applications in one week!

Get hands-on experience and build the skills local employers are looking for:
✅ 23-Week Program (Evenings & some Saturdays)
✅ Hands-on Training: Welding, Metal Fabricating & Carpentry
✅ 8-Week PAID Work Placement with a local employer 💰
✅ Tuition-Free

This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Don’t miss your chance to train close to home and get paid to learn! 🛠️

Please see the TTG website for program details, eligibility and to apply!

🔗 https://www.technicaltraininggroup.org/pre-apprenticeship/manufacturing-pre-apprenticeship

(Note: Our Stratford program applications are also open for a September start — applications for that intake will be reviewed starting in June!)

Community Employment Choices Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Tuesday Tip

This is your reminder to RSVP for Thursday’s Technical Training Group (TTG) Open House.

It’s a great chance to learn more, ask questions, and see if the programming is a good fit for you.

Come learn more and see what’s possible. RSVP today at 519-245-4500!