About Us

The Technical Training Group’s area of specialty is technical and skilled trades training. Our programming, with its experienced, professional instructors, safe learning environment and industry standard facilities, gives residents in Perth and Huron County  access to quality in-demand training and industry access to the skilled workers they need to maintain or grow their business.

A not-for-profit corporation structured as a partnership business model, TTG uses existing community resources to deliver its training. Local school boards provide TTG with technical facilities and classroom space and local Employment Ontario agencies assist with recruitment, academic upgrading, work placement and career services. This shared delivery model, under TTG’s leadership, has successfully provided industry-sensitive training opportunities in our rural area for almost two decades.

TTG was established in 2002 and has steadily grown its course offerings to include Welder and Metal Fabrication Apprenticeships, Red Seal Prep and Practical Assessment, Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Multiple Trades Exposure programs, Working At Heights certification and recertification, customized training packages for companies and industry readiness training for workforce entrants.

Our passion for the skilled trades as a credible, valid career option is also evident in our interactive FunTECH Youth Programs. Many youth are inspired to sign up for technical studies in secondary school and embark on a trade-focused career path as a result of these outreach programs.

Committed to making your training experience exceptional, our team is ready to assist you with building a new and fulfilling career, upskilling appropriate to your work setting or advancing your employment prospects. Browse our program offerings to find the career solution that works for you.

Board of Directors

TTG’s volunteer Board of Directors is made up of individuals who are involved community leaders with extensive experience in business and industry. They are passionate about TTG’s Mission and Vision - and are committed to serving Huron-Perth’s need for local, relevant technical skilled trades training.

Mike Doupe (Board Chair)
Industry Representative
Senior Manager, McLean Taylor Construction

Mike brings significant experience to TTG including hands-on construction, project management, motive power experience, accounting experience and safety training. Mike is the Senior Manager of McLean Taylor & Stone Town Construction. Member of TTG Board since 2017.

Heather Brown (Treasurer)
Business Representative
Financial Analyst, Oxford County 

Heather has expertise in account management, budget preparation, financial analysis and regulatory compliance. Heather is a Financial Analyst for the County of Oxford and has a Bachelor of Accounting (University of Waterloo). Member of TTG Board since 2016.

Todd Campbell
Industry Representative
Vice President and General Manager, Boilersmith Ltd.

Todd brings experience to TTG in manufacturing, operations, business development, and project management. Todd is the Vice President and General Manager of Boilersmith Ltd. Member of TTG Board since 2022.

Meredith Forget
Business Representative
Manager, Economic Development & Tourism County of Perth

Meredith has experience in economic development, business retention, strategic planning and policy deployment.  Meredith is the Economic Development Coordinator for Perth County. Meredith completed the Economic Development Certificate Program (University of Waterloo); Human Resources Management Program (Georgian College) and Bachelor of Arts (Trent University). Member of TTG Board since 2016.

Sandy McCann
Director at Large
HR Business Partner, Faddis Canada and Design Concrete.

Sandy previously served 9 years on the TTG Board of Directors, was Chair of the Education Committee and was also on the Performance Review team. She is an HR Professional with diverse experiences from across a variety of sectors with a desire to contribute to the next generation of youth achieving reliable employment in the skilled trades.


Mike McCourt
Director at Large‍
President, McCourt Consulting

Mike is a  proven, successful Entrepreneur in the controls and automation field. He founded, grew and sold  D&D Automation Inc., a global force in controls automation. Mike is currently President of McCourt Consulting where he specializes in leadership, corporate culture and putting activities in place to ensure critical functions become standard operating procedure. Mike is the Membership Chair of the Atwood Lions Club and has been on the TTG Board since 2023.

Randy Pettapiece
Director at Large
Former MPP Perth-Wellington

Randy brings a combination of government, small business and agriculture industry experience to TTG. Representing constituents for Perth Wellington for 11 years, Randy has strong skills in communication, listening, understanding, mediating and resolving issues across many platforms. He has a strong understanding of the inner workings of provincial government and experience advocating for positive change. Randy has been a member of the Monkton Lions Club since 1987 and a member of the TTG Board since 2023. 

Natalie Promislow
Industry Representative
Owner and Executive Vice President, Smith Steel & Fabrication

Prior to purchasing Smith Steel & Fabrication in 2014, Natalie worked in the banking industry for 20 years holding various positions including Head of Credit Solutions and Director of Execution at Scotiabank. In these roles, she was responsible for overseeing portfolios of small and large business loans,structuring, reviewing and approving new and existing deals. Natalie brings a variety of business skills including general project management, budgeting,human resources and negotiation. Natalie earned an MBA from Schulich School of Business in 1993 and has served on non-profit Boards in the past, including positions as treasurer. Member of TTG Board since 2021.

Taylor Briscoe
Government Representative, City of Stratford
Councillor, City Stratford

Bio coming soon.

Melissa Schenk 
Business Representative Communications
CEO/Executive Producer, MS2 Productions 

Melissa has an extensive background in communications including online video, video production, commercials, infomercials, product demonstration, social marketing and corporate storytelling.  She is the Owner and Executive Producer of MS2 Productions. Melissa is a Television Broadcasting graduate (Fanshawe College).  Member of TTG Board since 2016.

Jeffery Scholl
Education Representative
On-line Learning Recruitment Specialist, Contact North

Jeffery developed his leadership skills as a Team Lead at TG Minto Palmerston and Warehouse Manager with Musashi Auto Parts in Arthur.  He then went onto spend most of the last decade as a Territory Manager in wireless communications.  Currently, Jeffery is the Territory Manager for Contact North covering Huron and Perth counties. Member of TTG Board since 2020.

Alex Toll
Non-Profit Representative
Lender/Business Analyst, Perth Community Futures Development Corporation

Alex has experience in strategy consulting, business planning, cash flow analysis and grant application reviews. He is a Business Analyst with Perth Community Futures Development Corporation. Alex has a Bachelor of Commerce (Deakin University, Australia). Member of TTG Board since 2019.

The Configuration of TTG's 12-member board is as follows:

  • Four (4) representatives from industry sectors ie. manufacturing, agriculture, construction trades and services.
  • Three (3) representatives from Business and Finance ie. HR Professionals; Finance (Accountants/Financial Managers); Communications (Marketing/Public Relations).
  • Other (5) One (1) representative from the non-profit sector, One (1) representative from training/education (secondary or post secondary), One (1) representative from municipal or county government, Two (2) representatives 'at large' at the discretion of the Board.

Staff

Executive Director
Cavell Fraser

Business Manager
Shawn Bontaine

Office and Pre-Apprenticeship Program Manager
Liz Balletto

Administration Assistant
Amanda Langis

Apprenticeship Administration Assistant
Marcia Thomson

Finance Administrator
Nadine Hayes

Custom Training Administrator
Mark Roth

Welding Apprenticeship Administrator
Dale McGavin

Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship Administrator
Jake Debus

Instructors
Brandy Bundscho, Cody Gee, Steve Corcione, Wayne Evans, Geoff Kobler, Joel McLeod, Zach Preiss, Adam Smyth, Curtis Thomson, Joe Van Bakel, Jason Wagg , Mackenzie Wardrop, Monty West, Abigail Zondervan

Working At Heights Certification
Mentor Safety Consultants



Policies

TECHNICAL TRAINING GROUP (TTG) GOVERNANCE, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

TTG has an Operating Framework for its day-to-day business operations, including: the structure of the Board, operating principles and policies. This framework guides the not-for-profit stream (Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship and Youth programming) and for-profit revenue generation (safety and custom training). Guiding documents, revised as required to reflect current needs and realities, provide direction to all our part-time contractors in the delivery of all TTG programs.

TTG Privacy Policy

TTG Refund Policy

Questions regarding our policies, procedures or practices can be directed to:

Cavell Fraser, Executive Director
519-281-4635
cfraser@technicaltraininggroup.org

Vision

Promoting and delivering technical and skilled trades training in Stratford and surrounding area.

Mission

The Technical Training Group is committed to serving the need for local, relevant technical and skilled trades training.

Mandate

  • Facilitate and promote partnerships to support community technical training needs.
  • Provide market-driven training on a competitive basis.
  • Provide individuals, companies and organizations with local training options.
  • Support opportunities for youth to explore career options in skilled trades.