Congratulations to this year’s Apprentice Award winners! From left: Gord Dakins, Armo-Tool; Shawn Liu, Manor Tool & Die; Chantal Janik, Valiant TMS; Jesse Martin, Armo-Tool; Kyler Osborn, Armo-Tool; and Ben Henning, XL Tool Inc. CTMA photo
During the CTMA AGM & Dinner on October 29, we were proud to celebrate some of the brightest emerging talent in Canada’s tooling, machining and manufacturing industry through the 2026 CTMA Apprentice Awards.
Since 1994, CTMA and its members have recognized outstanding apprentices and pre-apprentices for their dedication, achievement and contributions to the industry. These awards celebrate the individuals who are building their careers in the skilled trades while helping to strengthen the future of Canadian manufacturing.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Recipients
This year, CTMA recognized one outstanding pre-apprentice and four Apprentice Award winners, along with the recipient of the CMTDA Award for Top Apprentice, for a total of six awards.
Pre-Apprentice Award winner: Gord Dakins – Armo Tool Ltd.
Gord received:
- Certificate of Achievement
- $500 cash award
- $500 KBC Tools gift certificate
- Supported Self-Paced SOLIDWORKS Training from GoEngineer, valued at $2,255
- $250 cash award and gift bag from Sandvik, valued at $400
- One-year Mastercam software license, donated by Mastercam Canada, valued at $300
Apprentice Award Winners
This year’s four Apprentice Award winners each received an enhanced award package recognizing their outstanding achievements and commitment to the skilled trades. In addition to the prizes listed above, the Apprentice Award package included a $1,000 cash award and a Precision Measuring Tool Kit from Mitutoyo, valued at $700.
Congratulations to:
Shawn Liu – Manor Tool & Die, Windsor
Chantal Janik – Valiant TMS, Windsor
Kyler Osborn – Armo Tool Ltd.
Ben Henning – XL Tool, Kitchener
CMTDA Award for Top Apprentice
This year’s Top Apprentice Award winner, presented by CMTDA, was Jesse Martin from Armo-Tool, in London!
David Andrews, CMTDA president (right) presents Jesse Martin from Armo-Tool with this year’s Top Apprentice Award. CTMA photo
In addition to the Awards mentioned above, Jesse also received a $1,500 cheque from CMTDA and a Top Apprentice Trophy Award.
Congratulations to Jesse and to all of our 2026 Apprentice Award recipients!
Your dedication, determination and passion for the skilled trades are helping to build a stronger future for our industry, and CTMA is proud to celebrate your achievements.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
The CTMA Apprentice Awards would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to recognizing and encouraging the next generation of skilled trades professionals plays an important role in strengthening Canada’s tooling, machining and manufacturing industries.
We extend our sincere thanks to:
- Aarkel Tool and Die Inc.
- ARMO Tool & Die Inc.
- BDC
- Black Controls Company Inc.
- CMTDA
- Canadian Metalworking
- Collins Electric Service (1979) Ltd.
- Corpay
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
- GoEngineer
- F.K. Services Inc.
- Kamal Jain
- Mastercam Canada
- Kapco Tool and Die Ltd.
- LMS Management
- Manor Tool & Die Ltd.
- MNP
- Mitutoyo Canada
- The Narmco Group
- New Era Group
- Rapid Enterprises
- Russell Tool & Die
- Sandvik Coromant
- X Tool Inc.
We are especially grateful to GoEngineer, Sandvik Canada, Mastercam Canada and Mitutoyo for their generous contributions to this year’s award packages, and to CMTDA for supporting the Top Apprentice Award.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating these exceptional apprentices and pre-apprentices. We are incredibly proud to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to seeing where their careers take them.
Stay tuned for our full AGM & Dinner event recap, including photos and highlights from the evening!
