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

Skills Canada-Ontario is an organization promoting careers in skilled trades and technologies, benefiting young people in the industry.

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, a theoretical troubleshooting portion, 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: 06/03/2002