Category: SMWTCS news

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.

Welcome to our Fall Newsletter.

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In conjunction with the 43rd annual convention of the Canadian Council of Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers the Canadian Sheet Metal Contest brought 11 competitors from across Canada to the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria BC. This 2-day contest tested veteran trades workers of tomorrow 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 where curious tourists and other passersby were provided a rare public demonstration of these hand skills. Congratulations to Kyle Wellman of Ames Metal Fabricators winner of the 2017 Level SMWTC Contest as he was the SMART Local 280 and SMACNA-BC’s representative. Coming up in the next newsletter will be coverage of the Alex Donaldson Award being presented to Kyle at the SMACNA Christmas Party.

 

Skills Canada BC’s 2018 Provincial Competition was held on April 18, 2018 at the Trade & Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford. The SMWTC was well represented in this year’s competition. Troy Martell of Austin Metal Fabricators, Kris Brunlees of Tri-Metal Fabricators and Kurtis Malm of Piedmont Sheet Metal winners of the SMWTC Annual contest Levels 1, 2 and 3 gave the 1000s of spectators a glimpse into the world of our trade by laying out a square to round on a pitch and fabricating a square to round copper bucket. Well done to all and congratulations to Kris who took silver and Kurtis who took the bronze.

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. Sometimes that winner is unable to attend and another goes instead. In 2017 Matt Hamm of Fraser Valley Refrigeration and the winner of last year’s SMWTC Level 4 competed in Ottawa over the July 1st weekend that coincided with the 150th Canada Day celebration. This earned him the 2017 Alex Donaldson award which was presented at SMACNA Christmas Party last November. Congratulations Matt and thanks for representing the Training Centre at the many contests you competed in over the last 4 years.

THANKS TO ALL THE APPRENTICES FOR PARTICIPATING IN 2017 SMWTCS ANNUAL APPRENTICE CONTEST:

LEVEL 1 — John Benson (Paramount Sheet Metal Ltd.), Travis Buchanan (Keith Panel Systems), Jackson Chater (Crosstown Metal Ind. Ltd.), Tyler Crowder (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), Marcus Dunn (Keith Panel Systems), Troy Martell (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), James Plett (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Josiah Stagg (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), William Scott Wilcox (Spectrum Sheet Metal Ltd.).

LEVEL 2 — Kristopher Brunlees (Airtek Pneumatics Ltd.), Matthew Cleary (Austin Metal Fabricators LP), Carlos Flores (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), Michael Hamm (Fraser Valley Refrigeration Ltd.), Kellan Lavallee (Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.), Marcus Ribi (City Sheet Metal Limited), Dean Tassopoulos (Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd.), Patrick Welch (Viaduct Sheet Metal Works Ltd.).

LEVEL 3 — Roy Jones (Airtek Pneumatics Ltd.), Kurtis Malm (Ridge Sheet Metal Co.), Nicholas McGregor (Austin Metal Fabricators LP).

LEVEL 4 — Josh Deeming (Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd.), Kyle Wellman (Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd.).

On November 18, 2017, the Training Centre had another great turn out to its Annual Apprentice Contest with 22 apprentices from 14 contractors competing in four levels aligned with their level of study. Thanks to the generosity of 20 sponsors, the contest gave away over $8,000 worth of prizes to 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 copper bucket, showcasing contestant’s precision and skill across the board. Mark Curtis from the International union was on-hand to assist. A lengthy list of sponsors contributed to the event by way of financial support and prizes. “Everyone who comes to the contest volunteering their time and representing their trade, and the contractors are there to show their support,” said Jud Martell, training co-ordinator for SMWTC. “It was fantastic. This is one of the largest sheet metal workers’ competitions in North America, and the competitors represented so many contractors. As a celebration of the sheet metal workers’ craft and a demonstration of apprentices’ immense talent — you can’t make a guy more proud than how I felt about this contest.” Bruce Sychuk, executive director of SMACNA-BC, is appreciative to everyone involved in this event. “Thanks to the organizers for taking the time and efforts in coordinating this event and congratulations to all that participated,” said Sychuk.