Skills Electrical Wiring Competition

Ontario Electrician Union IBEWCCO SkillsFrom humble beginnings participating at Skills with a small booth over 10 years ago, today the IBEW and the ECAO (under the auspices of JEPP) proudly sponsor the Electrical Wiring Competitions, Network Cabling Specialist Demonstration, Elementary Workshop and Careers Booth at the Skills Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) every year.

"The IBEW and the ECAO work hard all year preparing for these exciting events," says John Pender, Executive Secretary Treasurer, IBEW CCO. "We provide the financial support, staff expertise, gather together respected volunteers and solicit donations from industry suppliers."

Attendance is always high. For example, OTSC 2008 hosted over 1500 competitors, 60 skills trades & technology contests and over 80 Career Booths. Visitors surpassed 30,000.

"This event allows the ECAO and IBEW to promote the electrical trade as an exciting and dynamic career choice - not only to students - but to government, educators and the general public," stated Eryl Roberts, Vice President, ECAO.

Overall, it is a challenging and busy day for the electrical wiring competitors. With a start time of 7:00 am winding down past 5:00 pm, both high school students and post secondary apprentices worked hard to complete a series of typical electrical tasks.

How to Become an Apprentice ElectricianThe Careers Booth and Elementary Workshop promote the career possibilities available in the electrical industry. It provides an opportunity for visitors and students to participate in an hands-on interactive environment demonstrating the use of electricity and its various applications. Feedback statistics provided by OTSC show an increased awareness by both students and teachers to the career options available in skilled trades and technologies. "As a tradesperson and a Board Member to Skills Canada-Ontario, it's very rewarding to educate our youth about career options and opportunities," says Peter Olders, Provincial Training Coordinator, Communications Training Centre.

Student Comments:

  • We learned about electricians and what they do
  • I learned that a lot of fires are cause from improper wiring.
  • I learned how to bend pipes, connect wires and fish wire. Also how they run power from one end of the building to another and how they connect lights to switches.
  • Overall the best thing about this whole event was being able to explore new careers that impact our lives later on.

Teacher Feedback:

  • The students were totally focused when involved in the hands-on workshops
  • [Participating in the workshops] gives [the students] an option that they may not have thought about.

electrical union apprenticeshipOur level of success would not be possible without the support of our industry suppliers that generously donate equipment, materials and resources. We are grateful that we can count on them each year!

  • Eaton • Independent Electric Supply
  • Canadian Standards Association
  • Greenlee
  • Ideal
  • EUSA
  • CSAO
  • Toronto JAC
  • Local 105 Hamilton
  • Local 353 Toronto
  • Local 804 Central Ontario

Thank you to all volunteers and competition judges, who contributed their time and expertise and in particular;

  • Gord Thomson from Gord Thomson Electric Ltd.
  • Sean Connolly/Kearsley Electric
  • Derek Green and Lindsay Plas from Local 105
  • Virginia Pohler/Local 120, Kimoy- Lima-Letren
  • Richard Mucha and Elizabeth Benitz from Toronto JACfrom Local 804
  • Bev Stone and Walter Boettger from Conestoga College

ESA Inspectors:

  • Tom Quackenbush and Joe Gajdacs
  • Terry Moore/Trade Mark Industries
  • Glen Hicks/A.R. Milne Electrical Ltd.
  • Bob Nelson/Candian Standards Association
  • Rick Reinhart/The Roberts Group
  • Steve Laffrade/CSAO
  • Tom Harrower and Don McNichol


Special thanks to Steve Dempsey from Local 353. Steve has volunteered behind the scenes for over 10 years mentoring apprentices to the Skills Ontario Industrial Wiring Competition. We are proud that our seasoned electricians - such as Steve - pass on their enthusiasm and extensive knowledge to our apprentices.

IBEW/ECAO Skills Committee

  • Corina Hicks, Skills Electrical Wiring Tech Chair from Local 804
  • Sue Boorman/ECAO
  • Patty DeMonte/IBEW CCO
  • Peter Olders/Communications Training Centre/li>
  • Clarke Hurley/Local 105, John Salmon/A.R. Milne Electrical Ltd.
  • Ed Nott/Local 353
  • Wayne Lawrence/Local 353
  • Bill McKnight and Erik Hueglin/Toronto JAC, Ian Reece/CSAO

The ECAO and the IBEW Committee are well underway with preparations for the next Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition - see you there!

Learn More About the ONtario Skills at Work Program