Thomas Douglas is a passionate educator and advocate for skilled trades education, based in Oakville, Ontario. Drawing on his early career as a tool and die maker with Magna Automotive, Thomas now teaches Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Garth Webb Secondary School, where he also mentors students as the lead of the school’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team 5409. Since entering the education field in 2013, Thomas has been dedicated to guiding students toward rewarding careers in the skilled trades. He plays an active role in shaping the future of technical education through his involvement with the Career-Ready with CTMA initiative, the Ontario Provincial Manufacturing Subject Council, and the Tooling Advisory Committee. His efforts focus on aligning high school manufacturing programs with the needs of modern industry. Thanks to strong partnerships with CTMA, Thomas’s students benefit from hands-on experience with industry-grade equipment and have consistently earned recognition through CTMA High School Awards. In 2023, he was named CTMA Trades Ambassador of the Year—an honour that reflects his steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation of manufacturing talent and bridging the gap between education and industry.