Co-op Corner: McDonald Tool & Manufacturing

This week, Emma Day from Centre Dufferin District High School shares a little bit about their co-op experience at McDonald Tool & Manufacturing.

McDonald Tool & Manufacturing has been in business since 1983, owned and operated for over 40 years by Gord McDonald and his son Craig McDonald. 

Based out of Orangeville, the business carries a wealth of knowledge and experience in tool and die, machine manufacturing, machine repair, general machining and fabrication. The shop provides a number of services, including custom machining, machine building, tool & die making, machine rebuilding, production machine parts, part refurbishing, hard surfacing, spray welding, silver soldering and brazing.

Emma is a millwright assistant/welder at her co-op placement. So far, she has prepared metal surfaces for welding, used CNC machines, provided input on projects, and done some welding projects. 

She said she may get to use mills, lathes, and hydraulic presses later on in her training. Emma's supervisors, Koby and Ken, have taught her how to operate a number of different machines in a safe and efficient manner while following all shop rules.

Since Emma started working, she's become aware of a number of career opportunities associated with her placement. This includes millwrights who design, build, maintain, and operate machinery. There are also pipefitters who install, assemble, fabricate, maintain, and repair piping systems. There are fabricators and machinists as well.

Emma began creating a scrap metal sculpture to enter into the 2023 Erin Fall Fair Welding Wars on Sept. 25. Her project was entered on Oct. 5, and she won first place. 

McDonald Tool & Manufacturing supports Centre Dufferin District High School's co-op program by offering students like Emma life-changing learning opportunities.

Emma would like to thank the co-op program at CDDHS, her teachers and Craig from McDonald Tool & Manufacturing for providing the work placement opportunity.