On May 2nd, 2017, local school boards competed against their peers from across the province at Canada’s largest skilled trades and technologies competition: Skills Ontario Canada.
Skills Ontario featured 68 skilled trade competitions, including the Heating System Technician competition, which showcased the top ranking Heating System Technician students in the province: Jacob Broughton from Niagara CDSB ranked first amongst Ontario secondary school students and Peter Ngo from George Brown College ranked first amongst Ontario post-secondary school students.
Ranking: Secondary Students
1st Place: Jacob Broughton, Niagara CDSB
2nd Place: Amrit Sangha, Peel DSB
3rd Place: Owen Marling, Simcoe County DSB
Ranking: Post-Secondary Students
1st Place: Peter Ngo, George Brown College
2nd Place: David Sprague, Conestoga College
3rd Place: Mike Lemay, Durham College
Students were tested on their interview, practical and theoretical skill sets over a period of four hours. The interview component involved a sectioned off 2-person panel; practical involved hands-on wiring and venting and theoretical involved an open code book test with multiple choice and short answers.
The Heating System Technician Competition saw 16 post-secondary students, 6 secondary students and 23 dedicated industry volunteers and donors create a dynamic experience in a carefully constructed heating system environment:
Heating System Technician Committee Members
Marco Gallucci, Brad Mavin, Dick Thomas, Bob McKeraghan, Nancy McKeraghan, Mark Parliament, Peter Spoelstra.
Volunteers
Zaki Abedeen, Ron Alysworth, Bob Branch, Jill Breeze, Raffaele Correale, Dave Cushing, Corina Emde, Jeff Fata, Michael Grochmal, Rick Little, Brian Mukli, 
Bruce Munro, Joseph Simon, Sandro Timpano, Ron Vanhevel, Kathie Vanular.
Donors
Enercare, B & B Trade, Bardon Supplies, ClimateCare, Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions Enbridge, Enercare, Golden Horseshoe Chapter (HRAI), GTA Chapter (HRAI), Independent Supply Co. (Div. of Emco), Kawartha Lakes (HRAI), London Chapter (HRAI), Loyalist Chapter (HRAI), National Capital Chapter (HRAI), Rheem, RHVCA, TSSA, Union Gas.
HRAI and the Skills Committee would like to thank all the Heating System Technician students, volunteers and donors for participating in another successful competition!
For those interested in becoming a volunteer and/or donor next year, please contact ksandy@hrai.ca