Author: smwtcs.ca

Welcome to our SPRING 2020 Newsletter.

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

On behalf of our Trustees and staff at the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board and Training Centre, we wish to extend our thanks to our industry friends for joining us on September 20th for our SMITB/SMWTCS Anniversary Open House. We celebrated the Past, Present and Future of the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board (50 years) and Training Centre (25 years).

Our Passport Through Time activities led attendees through the Past with historical displays, through to Present with shop curriculum and project showcases, and finally to the Future with opportunities to demo new technology and equipment.

It was a great event and well attended! Without your support over the years, we would not be where we are today. Thank YOU!

 

---

On November 23, 2019, the Training Centre hosted its Annual Apprentice Contest at its facility. Nineteen contestants representing eleven contractors competed in four levels aligned with their last year of technical training. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, there were over $7,000 worth of prizes donated to the participants.

SHOP: Participants assembled different projects for each level while spectators watched. Projects showcasing contestant’s precision and skill, ranging from an aluminum hinged ammo-style box, to on-centre and off-centre square, to round fittings and a copper bucket.

THEORY: Mark Curtis from the International union proctored the theory categories and was our guest of honour at the prize awards ceremony. It was a fantastic day on which there were many moments of which to be proud.

NEW EQUIPMENT DEMO: During the contest, SMWTCS instructor Adam Dudarewicz demonstrated the Mobile Elevated Work Platform simulator purchased as part of the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). Everyone who tried the simulator was entered for a chance to a prize. We thank those who stop by to experience this new technology. Congratulations to Connor Sové for winning the prize, a Milwaukee packout bag!

Thanks to all the apprentices for participating in 2019 SMWTCS Annual Apprentice Contest:

Level 1: Bramwell Chao (Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd.), Galbyn Knell (Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd.), James Parreno (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Richard Steenhuisen (Pacific Waterproofing Ltd.)

Level 2: Mitchell Beauregard (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Brendan Detta (Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd), Troy Martell (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Brady Morton (Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd.), Shad Simpson (Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd.), Luke Sutton (Boston Sheet Metal Ltd.), Richard Webster (ECCO Heating Products Ltd.)

Level 3: Tyler Crowder (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), Alexander Flaman (Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd.), James Plett (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Josiah Stagg (Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd.), Stanley Suddaby (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Philip Wong (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.)

Level 4: Carlos Flores (Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd.), William Scott Wilcox (Spectrum Sheet Metal Ltd.)

The official Launch of our Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) took place on September 5th 2019 at the Training Centre. Member of Parliament, Ken Hardie made the announcement on behalf of the Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

The Sheet Metal Industry Training Board received over $400K in federal cost-sharing funding for this 5-year project. Our Technology and an Inclusive Workforce Project was developed to increase investment in training equipment and materials for higher quality training, leading to a more skilled and productive trade’s workforce.

The project will build strategic partnerships to improve the participation and success of key groups (women, Indigenous People and newcomers to Canada) in trades training and careers.

A Project Evaluation Consultant will develop data collection systems and resources to support the project assessment and reporting. Watch for invitations to participate in an upcoming questionnaire/survey, as well as Focus Groups (Contractors and Sheet Metal Workers).

 

This award is dedicated to the memory of Alex Donaldson, a Local 280 member committed to apprenticeships and training who passed away in 1980. The apprentice who earns The Top Apprentice is awarded each year. Since the 60’s, the Top Apprentice represents Local 280 and SMACNA-BC at the Canadian Council’s Sheet Metal Apprentice Competition held annually around the country.

The pathway to be selected as 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 compete at the Canadian Contest.

Patrick Welch of Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd. was the Level 4 winner of SMWTC Annual Apprentice Contest (Nov 2018), and also competed at the Canadian Contest (May 2019) in Toronto, ON. Patrick and other sheet metal apprentices from different provinces had 8 hours to build a copper replica of one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks — the Toronto City Hall.

Congrats to Patrick Welch as our 2019 winner of the Alex Donaldson Award. He was presented this annual top apprentice award at the SMACNA Christmas Party in November 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!