National Competition Set In Historic Quebec City
Once again Ontario apprentices have demonstrated their excellence at the 33rd annual Canadian Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Competition, taking home two of the top three prizes.  Travis Hamilton (Brough Sheet Metal and Local 269), Kingston and Curtis Halstead (Enerdry Constructors Ltd. and Local 397) Thunder Bay scored second and third place respectively. Richard Mangelsdorf (Local 280) Vancouver took top honours with first prize.

This year the site of the national competition was Quebec City celebrating a historic moment, its 400th birthday.  Twelve apprentices from across Canada winners of their own provincial apprenticeship competitions congregated from July 9 to 13 to vie for national honours.  While the competition was held in L’Ecole des métiers et occupations de l’industrie de la construction de Québec (EMOICP) outside of the city centre, apprentices, when they were not writing theory or pattern drafting exams or fabricating the competition piece, were free to take advantage of the heritage sites and festive activities in the heart of old Quebec city which abounds with many fine examples of architectural sheet metal.

At the awards banquet, climax of the competitions events, the three top apprentice winners’ names were announced.  Richard Mangelsdorf was awarded first place, a cash prize of $500 and the John Hannigan Trophy.  He was also chosen to receive the congeniality Award accompanied by the Ray Gall Plaque by his fellow apprentices. Travis Hamilton received second, a cash prize of $300 and the Ron S. Taylor Trophy with Curtis Halstead third, $200 and the James Fletcher Trophy.  The row of copper five-sided lanterns featuring alternating cutouts of fleur de lis and maple leaves, material supplied by Lor-Don Limited, on display in front of the head banquet table paid silent tribute to the commitment and quality of all those involved in apprentice training across Canada.