MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The board of directors for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC) has announced that HRAC-National will again coordinate the Heating System Technician Competition at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, to be held May 26–28, 2003, in Kitchener, Ontario.

According to HRAC, secondary and post-secondary students in HVAC programs and young people working in the field will compete and be judged on their theoretical and practical skills and knowledge. Competitors will also be scored on a simulated job interview and their r¿m¿p>The work involved in mounting the competition is being coordinated by a technical committee chaired by John Menzies of Union Gas and Barry Bowman from Barry Bowman Mechanical.

The technical committee members include a cross section of the industry and numerous volunteers from the province’s HRAC chapters.

HRAC believes that the Ontario Technological Skills Competition promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies not only through the competition, but also through an Elementary School Technology Day prior to the competition. In 2002, 180 students participated in a hands-on workshop demonstrating some aspects of a career as a heating system technician, while several hundred students, guidance teachers, and parents visited the career showcase displays.

In 2003, Ontario will host the Skills Canada National Competition, where provincial winners will compete for the opportunity to represent Canada internationally.

For more information, go to www.hrai.ca.

Publication date: 01/20/2003