Some of BC’s most talented millwright apprentice students will compete at the 2022 Skills Canada BC Competition in Quesnel on Friday April 8th.
Students from the College of New Caledonia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology will test their skills and knowledge of key millwright learnings, specifically, vibration analysis, alignment, motor installation, and tube bending.
Millwrights (also known as industrial mechanics) are tradespeople specializing in the installation and repair of machinery and heavy mechanical equipment. BC’s Labour Market Outlook indicates employers will need nearly 500 millwrights by the year 2031.
“Employers across northern British Columbia count on talented and capable millwrights,” said Dr. Chad Thompson, CNC vice president: academic. “We’re grateful that millwright apprentices trained across the province can test their mettle and have an opportunity to shine.”
Former CNC Quesnel student Dusty Cathcart, journeyman millwright at Quesnel River Pulp, won the gold medal in the Industrial Mechanic/Millwright skill area at the Skills Canada National Competition in Halifax in 2019. Due to a delay caused by Covid-19, Cathcart is eligible to compete again this year.
“Competing pushed me to want to further my career, keep learning, and keep improving,” he said. “It’s cool to be able to do this competition in Quesnel. I’ve been waiting a couple years for this and was disappointed when it was postponed. I’m excited to get another chance to try it out.”
The gold medalist for this event will compete for a spot on Team Canada. The winner of the national competition will compete at WorldSkills in Shanghai, China in October 2022.
Millwright instructor and coach for the CNC Quesnel competitors Sergio Jorquera sees this as a great privilege to host a 2022 Skills Canada BC Competition in the north.
“This is an exciting opportunity for students in our region to compete in the provincial competition without having to travel and take significant time from their employment,” he said.
CNC trades students are well-prepared for their apprenticeships by experienced and talented instructors, excellent facilities in the West Fraser Technical Centre at CNC Quesnel, and the support they receive from all CNC employees.
Learn more about millwright opportunities at CNC.
For more information about Skills Canada BC, please visit https://skillscanada.bc.ca/