Published in The Creemore Echo December 18, 2020

Travis Sacerty who grew up in Creemore and attended Collingwood Collegiate Institute always preferred working with his hands, learning by doing, rather than reading a textbook. It was natural for him to choose an apprenticeship program to fulfill his dream of becoming a tool and die maker. His choice was the general machine program at Georgian College in Barrie.

By early November he had completed stage one of three eight-week in-school training sessions that are a required part of the three- to five-year apprentice program. “It was different doing it online,” he says, “but I think I pulled it off.” He is now back on the job, commuting daily from Creemore tothe Midland tool and die shop of the ZF Automotive Group: TRW Canada. ZF is a large German-based company with different factories throughout the world, The Midland shop specializes in metal components for seat belts.

Asked what he liked most about his job, Travis said, “That’s a tough question because I enjoy it all. But in particular, to be at work and learning.” His goal is to get his “red seal” ticket and be a good tool and die maker and continuing to work where he is now. Sacerty wanted to go on record to thank RAYS for what they do to support students and their goals. “Not just with financial support but knowing there is someone there a student can turn to if they have challenges.”