The demand for mechanical engineers in the challenging industrial environment is growing. In fact, in 2014, 79 per cent of Durham College (DC) Mechanical Engineering Technology students found employment in a related field after graduation according to the college’s Graduate Employment Report.

Using the skills they acquired at DC, a number of these graduates are carving out careers at Thinkpath Engineering Services (Ontario) Inc. (Thinkpath), a global leader in engineering and design services. In 2013, Eddie Riby, an engineering account manager at Thinkpath met with several students in the third year of DC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program. Impressed by their strong familiarity with the computer-aided design (CAD) software currently being used by Thinkpath, Riby has hired 14 DC graduates since that initial meeting.

“I find that Durham College graduates have a good foundation of 3D modelling and drafting skills,” said Riby. “During the program, students are trained using Siemens NX, the CAD software we use at Thinkpath Engineering Services. Having an understanding of this software before graduation is an asset they can build throughout their design career with Thinkpath.”

One of the DC alumni who joined the Thinkpath team is Riley Tomiuck, a 2014 Mechanical Engineering Technology program graduate. There he uses the skills he acquired during his time DC to provide mechanical design services to several clients. In addition, he delivers technical presentations outlining engineering issues he is responsible for discovering and resolving for clients. 

“The professors at DC really went above and beyond my expectations,” said Tomiuck. “In addition to facilitating hands-on training, they inspired us by sharing their extensive knowledge, personal experiences and advice. Our professors also passed along interview tips, which made me far more confident when job searching.”

The college’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program prepares graduates to work both independently and as part of an engineering team to provide technical support and service in fields such as manufacturing, construction and energy generation. In the third year of the program, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and problem-solving skills in the college’s 8,000-square-foot Integrated Manufacturing Centre, a world-class training facility located at the Oshawa campus.