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Toronto-area executive wins top SMACNA award
Wayne Peterson (left) receives the Chapter Executive of the Year Award from SMACNA president Howard Stine at the association’s 70th Annual Convention in Maui, HI.
Refrigeration and a/c apprentice program now accepting applications The Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ORAC) and the UA Local 787 Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC) are accepting applications for the first-year apprenticeship program until February 28, 2014. Seventy-six applicants were selected in 2013 and 80 were accepted in 2012. Contractors can access the accepted candidates listing at www.hvacrapprentice.ca and non-ORAC member companies can contact the communications and program manager to get a copy of the list. For more information e-mail info@hvaccareeer.ca or visit www. hvacr.ca.
CAF report finds more youth considering careers in skilled trades An increasing number of students are open to a career in the skilled trades and are placing a higher value on the contribution of tradespeople than they did in the past, according to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum – Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA). The CAF-FCA polled more 8
HPAC | DECEMBER 2013
Wayne Peterson, chapter executive for the Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Richmond Hill, ON, is the winner of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s Chapter Executive of the Year Award. He was presented the Petersen-Dunn Award, which is given to the chapter executive who has made a substantive contribution to their local association. “Wayne was the first person in Ontario to see the value of affiliation with SMACNA,” said 2013 SMACNA president Howard Stine. “His efforts have so far led to four additional chapters from Canada joining SMACNA.” www.smacna.org than 800 Canada students in the spring of 2013 to compile the report Apprenticeship Analysis: Youth Perceptions of Careers in the Skilled Trades. It then compared this year’s results to those from a similar survey done in 2004. Based on its findings, combined with the current and anticipated skill shortages as more and more baby boomers retire, the CAF-FCA has high expectations about attracting the next generation of skilled trades workers. “We can definitely see improvement in youth awareness and attitudes,” said Sarah Watts-Rynard, executive director of CAF-FCA. “At the same time, we’re seeing the need for stronger messages around opportunities for women and better outreach to parents and others who provide career direction to students.” Read the full report at www.caf-fca.org.
Changes to Ontario Building Code to take effect in 2014 Most of the 2012 Ontario Building Code will come into effect on January 1, 2014, providing an update to the 2006 version. The 2012 code has an environmental focus and puts in place measures to reduce greenhouse
gases, protect air, water and soil quality, and conserve energy. It features new standards for residential wastewater treatment, on-site sewage dispersal beds, as well as changes to technical, maintenance and monitoring requirements for sewage systems. The revised code is more consistent with the model national codes for building and plumbing. Requirements such as efficient toilets and showerheads for new homes and rain water harvesting for all new buildings, will put Ontario among North America’s leaders in water conservation. It also increases Ontario’s consistency with other codes across Canada so businesses can sell products and services nationwide. www.mah.gov.on.ca.
Calgary contractor three-time winner Lochinvar has announced the first winners in its VIP Contractor Program for the 2013-2014 heating season. Jamie Whitehead of Cooper Plumbing & Heating in Calgary, AB, was named the October winner of the VIP Installation Showcase. Charles Felt of Buddy’s Plumbing Service in Winthrop, MA, was selected in the first monthly VIP drawing. In June they will join other winners of the 2014 Nashville Experience for an all-expenses-paid trip for two that includes tickets to the world’s largest country music festival. This award marks Whitehead’s third win in the annual contest. “I’m thrilled that Lochinvar has once again recognized my work in its VIP Installation Showcase,” said Whitehead. “We take great pride in delivering the highest quality service and solutions to our clients, and it means a lot when a top industry leader takes notice of what we’re doing in the field.” Through April 2014, contractors can continued on p10 hpacmag.com