Apprenticeship Competition Archives

SMART sheet metal apprentices from across Ontario gathered in Thunder Bay on September 11–12, 2024, participating in the 51st Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Competition.

“We have apprentices from all over Ontario competing. They’re representing their locals and their contractors, and they’re doing a great job,” said Provincial Training Director Scott Wood on the day of the competition. “It’s a big trade, it’s a big industry, so we just like to really put it out there that we are looking for tradespeople, and we’re a really lucrative [trade] to be in.”

“They’re having a lot of fun, and it’s just a privilege to be here helping the apprentices move through their career,” added Local 47 Director of Training Stuart Simpson.

Fifteen apprentices underwent a theory test and a drafting test, but the marquee event was the shop component: building a model snowblower out of copper, complete with brass augers and a hand-made, one-inch Pittsburgh lock.

“[It’s] pretty difficult to do — working with copper is really, really hard, it’s very soft and scratches easily,” said Local 562 apprentice Sam Grant. “It’s pretty cool.”

Following the competition, apprentices gathered with local officers and fellow members for a dinner and awards presentation. Congratulations, all!

Locals represented: Local 30 (Toronto), Local 47 (Ottawa), Local 235 (Windsor), Local 269 (Kingston), Local 285 (Toronto), Local 397 (Thunder Bay), Local 473 (London), Local 537 (Hamilton) and Local 562 (Kitchener).

Tags apprentice, Apprenticeship Competition, Canada, Ontario, Ontario Sheet Metal Workers

The Local 435 (Northern Fla.) JATC hosted the SMART Region III Apprenticeship Contest at its JATC on March 22–23, bringing together 27 contestants from nine local unions for a prestigious competition spanning two full days. The event showcased the talent and skills of apprentices from Locals 85 (Atlanta, Ga.), 435, 5 (East Tenn.), 441 (Mobile, Ala.), 177 (Nashville, Tenn.), 15 (Central Fla.), 32 (Southern Fla.), 4 (Memphis, Tenn.) and 399 (South Carolina), with a particular focus on core knowledge, reading plans and specifications using Procore, hand sketching and a shop project.

The apprentices were divided into different categories based on their level of training, with second-, third- and fourth-year participants representing their respective local unions. Each portion of the competition provided a unique challenge, testing the apprentices’ abilities in different aspects of sheet metal work.

The core knowledge test gauged the members’ understanding of fundamental principles and concepts in the field, ensuring they have a strong grasp of the basics. Reading plans and specifications using Procore required the apprentices to prove their proficiency in interpreting technical drawings and specifications — a crucial skill in the industry.

The hand sketch portion of the competition tested the apprentices’ creativity and ability to translate ideas onto paper, allowing them to display their design skills and attention to detail. Finally, the shop project segment challenged the apprentices to put their training into practice by completing a hands-on task, highlighting their practical skills and craftsmanship.

“Overall, the Region III Apprenticeship Contest was a valuable opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate their talents, learn from one another and gain recognition for their hard work and dedication to the sheet metal trade,” concluded Local 435 Business Manager Lance Fout.

Tags Apprenticeship Competition, florida, Local 435, Members Journal, Region 3, Summer 2024

From September 12–14, during the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ and Roofers’ Conference, apprentices from nine different local unions gathered in Peterborough, Ontario, for the 50th annual Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Competition. The challenge? Building copper replicas of the iconic Peterborough Lift Lock.

“It’s a great opportunity to get some new skills and meet some new people, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Local 537 (Hamilton, Ontario) apprentice Mackenzie Johnston.

Along with the conference and apprenticeship competition, SMART Army Canada was out in force: Dozens of members took to the streets for a cleanup of the Otonabee River and nearby Millennium Park, helping preserve Canada’s natural beauty and public spaces for the local community.