Boilermakers know we lead the industry in skill, competence, professionalism and dedication. This competition gives locals across Canada the chance to show off these traits in their best recent graduates.
Candace George and L-203 teammate Brandon Cole focus on perfecting their work.
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June 6 marked a momentous occasion for Canadian Boilermakers: the return of the National Boilermaker Competition after a 10-year hiatus in Canada.
“As evidenced by the enthusiasm and energy of the competitors, judges, hosts, volunteers, sponsors and everyone else in attendance, we were ready to bring it back,” said IVP-Canada Arnie Stadnick.
“Boilermakers know we lead the industry in skill, competence, professionalism and dedication. This competition gives locals across Canada the chance to show off these traits in their best recent graduates.”
Each local sends its best new Boilermaker and welder to pit their skills against one another over two full days in a series of practical challenges. The competition includes models of national quality to demonstrate that contractors and clients receive the best qualified Boilermakers. The event also demonstrates that the union continually advances the development and delivery of journeyperson education, upgrading programs and ensuring Boilermaker graduates are world class.
After years of training, plus a positive attitude, union spirit and lot of hard work earned, 14 individuals were recognized as the top graduates in their locals, earning them a spot on the national stage for competition. Those earning competition spots were:
Local 73 (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Boilermaker Gage Vanwychen and Welder Miguel Caron
Local 128 (Toronto, Ontario) Boilermaker Nicholas Comeau and Welder Owen Gallie
Local 146 (Edmonton, Alberta) Boilermaker Alison Barrero and Welder Shi Kim
Local 203 (St. John’s, Newfoundland) Boilermaker Brandon Cole and Welder Candace George
Local 271 (Montreal, Quebec) Boilermaker Stephane Noble-Filteau and Welder Charles-Antoine Whissell
Local 359 (Vancouver, British Columbia) Boilermaker Scott Stephenson and Welder Terry Blascoe Morris
Local 555 (Winnipeg, Manitoba) Boilermaker Tyler Wiltsey and Welder Tracy Fedorowich.
Each top graduate apprentice received an engraved Boilermaker ring, $500 and “competition edition” Carhart coveralls, all to commemorate their achievement and remind them that hard work and dedication lead to success.
Ultimately, the three competition awards were earned as follows:
Top Team Award: Scott Stephenson and Terry Blasco Morris of L-359
Top Welder Award: Charles-Antoine Whissell, L-271
Top Boilermaker Award: Gage Vanwychen, L-73
All competition winners received a bronze sculpture symbolic of the Boilermakers’ roots as a craft when steel was hot-formed and joined by force welding and riveting. The sculptures were created by Don Begg who was once a Boilermaker and is famous worldwide for the many sculptures he has been commissioned to design.
In addition to the competition awards, each year the National Training Trustees awards the Industry Award of Excellence to recognize an individual who has made an immeasurable contribution to Boilermaker training and apprenticeship across Canada. This year’s recipient was Kent Oliver, who began his Boilermaker career in 1981 at L-73.
Stadnick noted that many people contributed to the event’s success.
“An event of this caliber cannot happen without the generous support of many people,” Stadnick said. “Thank you for all the support from business managers, training coordinators, the BCA Board of Directors and IBB representatives across Canada, who made this a truly national competition.”
He went on to thank L-146 for hosting the competition: “Your time and attention to detail, along with your exceptional warmth and welcoming, set the bar for future events.”
He also thanked the 19 judges representing contractors, union and training, who volunteered their time, experience and expertise to coach and assess the competitors; the sponsors whose contributions made the event possible; and the volunteers who helped ensure the competition ran smoothly and that everyone was fed and happy.
And, he made a point to also acknowledge and thank the family and friends of the competitors, “who encourage and support our graduates as they work to develop their skills and build a career they can be proud of.”
Stadnick noted that ever since the first National Boilermaker Competition 30 years ago, individuals who have participated in the competitions have gone on to be leaders in the Boilermaker industry.
“Congratulations to all competitors,” he said. “We are so proud of you all and will be watching you progress through your careers, taking on and overcoming new challenges and setting the pace for other skilled tradespeople.”
Photos courtesy of IR Richard MacIntosh.
Article by Michael Bevan
