Year: 2019

Welcome to our FALL 2019 Newsletter.

Would you like to have your art work published in the Newsletter? We invite you to send your pictures to media@smwtcs.ca as well as post on our Facebook Page.

 

In February 2019, WorkSafeBC’s Industry Initiative Overview on Occupational Diseases added Welding Fumes as one of the primary risks of exposure to its Cancer-causing category. The SMWTC has adopted the primary goal on this initiative to raise awareness of the risks, hazards, and controls relating to this category of occupational diseases. Every student that comes to the SMWTC will be given information on WorkSafeBC’s new initiative and be provided the opportunity to ask questions about how this may or may not relate to technical and/or specialty training and jobsite conditions. This initiative has the potential to fundamentally change how our contractors address the safety of workers exposed to welding fumes and we here at the SMWTC recognize our responsibility to be part of this initiative as the educational arm of our industry. For further information please visit: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/ create-manage/managing-risk/emerging-risks

 

Welcome MATT BROWN! We hired our new full-time instructor to fill the position advertised in the spring to meet the growing needs of the Training Centre. Matt joined the instructor team in May 2019 to provide instruction to apprentices and journeys through all aspects of the shop and classroom components. Adding a 4th full time instructor allows for succession planning and the development of the new harmonized program. The Training Centre now has greater flexibility to develop new Specialty Training courses, including the upcoming Fan Service Specialty Training offered in early 2020.

What is UTIP? The Union Training and Innovation Program is a federal cost-sharing initiative to increase investment in training equipment and materials for higher quality training, leading to a more skilled and productive trades workforce. UTIP is also intended to improve the participation and success of key groups in trades training and careers including women, Indigenous People and newcomers to Canada.

The Sheet Metal Industry Training Board was successful in submitting a proposal and received over $400K in government cost-sharing funding for this 5-year project. SMITB is purchasing new equipment for the SMWTCS including a Mobile Elevated Work Platform simulator, new virtual reality/augmented welding technology and will be offering new Fan Service Specialty Training in 2020.

Watch for upcoming opportunities to participate in the UTIP Project including questionnaires and surveys, Focus Groups (Sheet Metal Workers & Contractors) and Advisory Groups (Women, Indigenous, Newcomers). Join us at the official launch on Sept 20th! For more information visit us at smwtcs.ca/UTIP

 

 

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

• Purchase new Equipment and Technology to Prepare a Skilled Workforce
• Increase representation of Key Groups to Build an Inclusive Workforce
• Build Broad-Based Partnerships to Influence Change in Sheet Metal Industry
• Assess Result Measurement Indicators

 

 

 

 

 

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Union Training and Innovation Program

Canadian Contest and Awards Banquet took place May 10 & 11th in Toronto, ON. Sheet metal apprentices from different provinces competed at Nathan Phillips Square near one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks — the Toronto City Hall. Participants had 8 hours to build a copper replica of the landmark. Patrick Welch of Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd. was SMART Local 280 and SMACNA-BC’s representative at the Contest. Last November, Patrick was the Level 4 winner of the 2018 SMWTC Annual Apprentice Contest, and will receive this year’s Alex Donaldson Award. Congratulations Patrick!

 

It is with deep sadness that the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board announces the passing of one of its Trustees, Franco Pederzini. In Franco’s career, he called the SMWTC his alma mater where he journeyed as one of its top apprentices. Recently he was elected to the SMITB as a management representative for SMACNA-BC. In his short career, Franco demonstrated his dedication to family and extended this passion to the trade as a leader of our industry. The Staff and Trustees extend our condolences to his loved ones. “Family Forever and Forgiveness through Prayer” – Franco.

Welcome to our SPRING 2019 Newsletter.

Would you like to have your art work published in the Newsletter? We invite you to send your pictures to media@smwtcs.ca as well as post on our Facebook Page.

 

 

 

This award is dedicated to the memory of Alex Donaldson, a Local 280 member committed to apprenticeships and training who passed away in 1980. It has been given to the apprentice who earns The Top Apprentice each year. Going as far back as the 1960‘s the Top apprentice has been awarded to the apprentice that represents the Local 280 and SMACNA-BC at the Canadian Council’s Sheet Metal Apprentice Competition held annually around the country. The pathway to get to be the Top Apprentice has changed many times over the decades. Currently the individual winning the Level 4 competition at the SMWTC Annual Apprentice Contest has priority to go to the Canadian Contest. In 2018 Kyle Wellman of Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd. and the Level 4 winner of 2017 SMWTC Annual Apprentice Contest competed at the Canadian Contest in Victoria, BC in June 2018. This two-day contest tested trades workers in layout, theory, and fabrication skills. A binnacle, the housing for a ship’s compass, made from copper and brass was the shop project fabricated in a public space near the shoreline at Ship Point. Congratulations to Kyle Wellman for representing SMART Local 280 and SMACNA-BC at the Canadian Contest. Wellman was awarded the Alex Donaldson Award — the annual top apprentice award — at the SMACNA Christmas Party in November 2018.

On November 24, 2018, the Training Centre hosted its Annual Apprentice Contest for the 8th year at its facility in Surrey BC. The contest brought out over 20 contestants from over a dozen contractors competing in four levels aligned with their last year of technical training. Thanks to the generosity of 20 plus sponsors, the contest gave away over $7,000 worth of prizes to the participants. As in previous years, the shop portion drew the most spectators — participants assembled different projects for each level. These ranged from an aluminum hinged ammo-style box to on-centre and off-centre square to round fittings and a copper bucket, showcasing contestant’s precision and skill. Mark Curtis from the International union was on-hand to assist in the proctoring of the theory categories and was our guest of honour at the prize awards ceremony at the end of the day. It was a fantastic day on which there were many moments of which to be proud. The day had a videographer on site so please check out that video here.

REQUIREMENT: 

Journey or Apprentice: member in the sheet metal or architectural sheet metal trade at SMART Local Union #280

REGISTRATION:

EMAIL: registrar@smwtcs.ca or PHONE: (604) 882-7680

Please visit our specialty training page to view the descriptions of the courses offered.