Top Canadian union carpenter apprentices showcase skills

Canada’s top apprentices in carpentry, drywall and carpenter millwright trades gathered in downtown St. John’s, N.L., recently for a showdown at the 21st annual United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) and Joiners of America National Apprenticeship Contest.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.

Representatives from Ontario did well, placing first in carpentry, first and second in drywall and second in the millwright competition.

Jonathan Morash, Drywall Acoustic Lathing and Installation Local 675, Toronto, topped six other contestants in the drywall competition which included a three-hour written exam, leveling instrument testing, followed by a one-day wall and ceiling installation of an 8×8-foot hut with bulkheads, T-bar, arched doorway and octagon window.

In the carpentry competition, Christopher Rogacki of Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27, Toronto, followed up on his first place finish at the provincial competition in June with top honors at the nationals. Other Ontario representation on the winners list includes: Kevin Riddick, second place, drywall, of Local 397, Port Hope; and Mark Newman of Local 2309, Toronto.

Morash said the strong placing of Ontario competitors is partly because apprentices in the province have lots of work and widely varied types of builds. The company he works for, Global Acoustics, is a good example.

“We do a lot of different kinds of jobs so I get a lot of experience.”

The competition was hosted by the Carpenters Millwrights College (CMC), owned by UBC, Local 579. The contest was run by the CMC’s training centre.

Kelly Power, director of the CMC, says 10 carpenters, nine millwrights, and seven drywall installers competed. Competitors were either fourth year apprentices or received their Red Seal Certification within the past year.

“I was impressed by all of the competitors,” says Power. “While it was a competition, they all had fun and demonstrated great sportsmanship.”

It was the third time the CMC hosted the national competition, she says.

“We had overwhelming support from industry by way of sponsors which enabled us to put on such a great event, and show our guests a little bit of Newfoundland culture and hospitality.”

The results in the carpentry category were Rogacki, first, Chad Delaney of NewFoundland second and Benjamin Quintin of Alberta third.

In the drywall category Morash finished first, Riddick of Ontario second and Barry McNeill of Prince Edward Island third.

In the millwright category Stewart Tonge of New Brunswick finished first, Newman of Ontario and Braden Boake of Saskatchewan tied for second and Garrett Ellsworth of Newfoundland third.