Thirty Six of Canada's Top Construction Apprentices Compete in Toronto Showdown

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 23, 2014) - Thirty six of Canada's top apprentices gathered in downtown Toronto today to compete in the annual National Apprenticeship Contest at Round House Park.

Hosted by The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario and the Millwrights District Council of Ontario, the contest pits Canada's top tradesmen in carpentry, drywall, millwright and floor coverings in a public competition to show off skills in their respected trades and hopefully, take home top honours.

"These are the best tradespeople that the country has to offer," said Mr. Tony Iannuzzi, Executive Secretary Treasurer for The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario. "They are individuals who have honed a craft, excel in their respective fields and are responsible for our existing and expanding infrastructure throughout Canada. It is wonderful to see all their training and skills showcased though this competition."

The apprentices are selected from previously won competitions across the country to embark on a challenge of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in front of a panel of judges, media and the general public. Apprentices are judged based on both speed and accuracy as the competition seeks to identify the most qualified, highly skilled tradespeople in the Country.

"It is a friendly competition that has a mandate to raise awareness of the skilled trades that are part of the Carpenters Union and hopefully encourage youth to consider trades as possible professions," said Mr. Mike Yorke President, Carpenters Local 27.

The Carpenters District Council of Ontario represents more than 20,000 women and men working in a wide range of skilled trades.

Ontario's recent Budget allocated $130 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years to build highways, public transit, bridges, hospitals and schools.

"The construction industry is expected to grow. That's why now is the time to focus on recruitment, training and retaining a skilled labour force to meet that demand when it arrives," said Iannuzzi.

About Carpenters District Council of Ontario

The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario ("CDC") is composed of 16 affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province. In total, we represent over 20,000 women and men working in a wide range of areas, including carpentry, drywall, resilient flooring, concrete formwork, underwater construction, welding, scaffolding, and a long list of other construction-related work. Indeed, because of our up-to-date apprenticeship and training programs, there are very few construction-related jobs outside the scope of the Carpenters' Union. In addition, our union represents many industrial workers and thousands of highly-skilled workers in Ontario's health care sector.

For more information on the competition, please visit http://www.natac.ca/nac/.