"Ready… Set… Drill!" Will that be the call that starts the United Brotherhood of Carpenters' 22nd annual National Apprenticeship Competition in Toronto this August? The event, to be held at Roundhouse Park, will run from August 21 to 23 and offers a packed schedule. The practical part of the exam, in which the apprentices will be evaluated on their trade skills, should also be the fun part, and that will be open to the public.

photo of a contestant participating in the 2013 Competition, image courtesy of National Apprenticeship Competition Comp

The competition began in the early 90s as a way of showcasing the good training that the UBC, one of North America's largest building-trades unions, provides its apprentices while unifying their Canadian members through friendly competition. The primary goal of the competition however, is to expose the public to the work that their members do, and to get youth interested in pursuing a trade career. The UBC does this by hosting their competitions in a different province each year at a great public venue.

photo of a contestant participating in the 2013 Competition, image courtesy of National Apprenticeship Competiti

Each Canadian province and territory sends four apprentices—who are typically nearing the end of their training and on their way to becoming joureypeople—to represent them at the competition. Each apprentice is trained in one UBC trade; carpentry, drywall, floor covering, or millwright. The apprentices are tested on their knowledge of the trade by taking a written test and a Transit/Level and Layout Exam. These parts of the competition, although important for evaluating the participants, will not be open to the public. The practical component of the  event will be open to the public from 8 AM to 4 PM on the 22nd.

A group of contestants from the 2013 competion in Newfoundland, image courtesy of National Apprenticeship Competition

The event is judged by a variety people in the trade industry. This includes business owners and instructors, both from within and outside the UBC. At the end of the three day event first, second and third place winners will be announced for each of the trades at an awards ceremony later that day. 

If you want to know more about the people who build the structures we live, work, and play in, this should be a really fun way to introduce yourself to it. We will be back to cover more of the event as it approaches.