MISSISSAUGA, ON, Canada — The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC) has completed an eight-month undertaking to design and organize elementary school workshops, and initiate a new demonstration competition at the 13th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition held recently in Waterloo, Ontario.

Skills Canada-Ontario is an organization promoting careers in the skilled trades and technologies.

The Elementary Day Workshop provided an opportunity for 120 seventh- and eighth-grade students from six schools to participate in hands-on workshops and to learn about the house as a system. Students also learned how to use a manometer and temperature probe, how to practice flaring, and how to use troubleshooting software. Secondary students participated in a competition that included changing a furnace blower, theoretical troubleshooting, and a mock job interview.

HRAC says that it is proud to have participated in the event and anticipates that the success of the event will serve as a model for similar competitions in other provinces in the future.

Publication date: 05/27/2002