National Apprenticeship Competition comes to Ottawa
Canada’s top apprentices in five trades descended on Ottawa for the 27th annual National Apprenticeship Competition (NAC), September 12 to 14.
The nearly 40 third- and fourth-year competitors began their competitions with a three-hour written exam on September 12. Two intense days of practical competition followed. As the apprentices worked away at their various projects, nearly 700 students from Ottawa-area high schools had the opportunity to tour the show floor, and see for themselves just how complex and rewarding skilled trades work can be.
“The NAC is a great vehicle to educate others regarding the diversity of our trade and reinforce that the trades are a viable, lucrative and exciting career choice,” says Stacey Kerr, director of Local 93 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, which hosted this year’s competition. “It showcases the top apprentices across the country.”
And the winners are…
Competition winners included several from Ontario-based locals. The full details are below.
Carpentry
1st — Levon Lacoste, Yukon Local 2499
2nd — Simon Williams, New Brunswick Local 1386
3rd — Jean Samuel Dubreil, Quebec Local 134
Scaffolding
1st — Dave Hutchinson, BC Local 1370
2nd — Chris Keno, Manitoba Local 343
3rd — Joshua King, Saskatchewan Local 1985
Flooring
1st — Geoff Roberts, BC Local 1541
2nd — Ben Lavoie, Ontario Local 93
3rd — Ken McBrine, Ontario Local 27
Interior systems
1st — Justin Nelson, Ontario Local 18
2nd — Henry Wall, Ontario Local 494
3rd — Jamie Ralph, Local 579
Millwrights
1st — Andy Williston, New Brunswick Local 2262
2nd — Kristie Latta, Manitoba 1443
3rd — Heather Ferguson, Ontario Local 1410