18th Skills Canada-Ontario Technological Skills Competition:
April 30 to May 1, 2007 - Rim Park and Manulife Finanical Sportsplex, Waterloo

For over a decade, the IBEW/ECAO Joint Electrical Promotion Plan (JEPP)* has participated in the Skills Canada-Ontario Technological Skills Competitions - a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development of youth and the prosperity of Industry in Ontario. Through its partnerships in education, industry, labour and government, it is helping young people discover skilled trades and technological occupations.

Electrical Wiring Competition

Ontario students from secondary and post-secondary schools have the opportunity to watch their piers participate in over fifty technology and trade specific competitions spanning construction, manufacturing, communications, transportation, services and leadership. Two Electrical Wiring Competition were held simultaneously; twenty high school students competed in the provincial secondary contest, and fourteen apprentices for the post secondary competition. From a layout drawing and specifications secondary students were responsible for installing an array of electrical items such as switches, lights and receptacles. Post-Secondary Contestants were provided with equipment layout drawings and specifications to install a variety of items including a control cabinet, forward reverse motor control. Both competition were judged by ECAO Contractors, Electrical Safety inspectors and CSAO electrical trainers. We are very proud that we had the following IBEW Apprentices participate in the post-secondary competition:

• Victor Schubert - Local 105 Hamilton
• Matt Weekes - Local 120 London
• Kirsten Peters - Local 353 Toronto
• Francis Monaghan - Local 586 Ottawa
• James Dodman - Local 773 Windsor
• Michael Raepple - Local 804 Central Ontario

All IBEW apprentices met the challenge and we are proud of the dedication and caliber of work done by all our apprentices, and especially James Dodman who was the bronze medal winner.

Careers Showcase

The IBEW/ECAO interactive display at the Careers Showcase allowed all visitors the opportunity to try their hand at making wire joint (pig tail) and it was also a chance for them to speak to our contractors, journeymen, and apprentices one to one. Our staff was inundated with questions - “Why did you choose this trade.” “What is the hardest/best part of your job.” “Have you ever been shocked.” They were more than happy to answer each one!

Elementary Career Awareness Workshop

Groups of students arrived at pre-scheduled intervals and were greeted to a (bag of popcorn!) and short introduction about the electrical field. Students were then divided into four groups that alternated visits to stations set up so that each student could complete a wire joint, telephone connection, bent a piece of conduit, and completed a light board quiz.

Network Cabling Demonstration

Two NCS technicians from Kearsley Electric demonstrated this trade. The project involved a typical commercial telephone and data cabling installation. Peter Olders from the Ontario Communications Training Centre was on hand to answer any queries about the trade from students, teachers/counselors and visitors. A popular question was “what is the educational requirements.”

JEPP Sponsors

Every year, dozens of Ontario IBEW Locals, ECAO Contractors, Suppliers and Association,s help us to ensure our success. Thank you to the following:

• A. R. Milne Electrical Ltd.
• AIW Cable
• Alcan Cable
• Cabletech/Southwire
• Columbia/MBF
• Communications Training Trust Fund
• Construction Safety Association of Ontario
• Eaton Cutler-Hammer
• Electrical Contractors Association of Central Ontario
• Electrical Contractors Association of Toronto
• Electrical Safety Authority
• General Cable
• Gord Thomson Electric Ltd.
• Hammond Transformers
• Hubbell/Temco
• IBEW International Office District 1
• IBEW Local Union 105 Hamilton
• IBEW Local Union 353 Toronto
• IBEW Local Union 804 Central Ontario (Kitchener)
• Ideal Canada
• IES Independent Electrical Supply Inc.
• Intermatic
• Kearsley Electric Ltd.
• Koskie Minsky LLP
• Maple Chase
• Nexans Cable
• Stelpro Heating
• Toronto Joint Apprenticeship Council

Mark down in your calendar May 5 to 7, 2008 for the 19th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition. It’s an event you won’t soon forget!

* JEPP - a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario (IBEW CCO) and the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO)