More than fifty competitors representing ironworker union locals across Canada and the United States concluded an annual three-day competition in Toronto hosted by the Ontario District Council and held at Local 721's training facility.
"The annual competition allows apprentices and staff to come together and share best practices," added Kevin Bryenton, president of the Ontario Ironworkers District Council. "It is why we are able to maintain our high standards and deliver quality work. We continually look for better ways to train our members using the latest techniques and technology. The results are seen every day in buildings across the country."
The competitors displayed their knowledge, dexterity and skills in eight different areas.
Written test: 100 questions taken directly from the Apprentice Training Manuals
Welding, burning and instrument test: requires apprentices to complete three passes in all four positions: flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead. Welds are graded on quality.
Burning competition requires apprentices to correctly lay out and burn a circle and square, make a bevel and straight cut. Contestants are judged on accuracy of layout and cut as well as quality of cuts.
The instrument test requires apprentices to set up an instrument, establish the height of the instrument and figure the elevation of benchmarks above and below the height of the instrument.
Knot tying, rod tying, ornamental installation and column climb: requires apprentices correctly tie six knots, which are chosen at random from the Iron Workers Rigging Manual the day of the test. They also must correctly reeve two sets of blocks (3x3, 3x2 or 2x2).
The rod tying competition is always exciting. Competitors have one minute to tie as many of each different type of tie as they can. The ties are: snap tie, snap and a wrap, saddle tie, saddle and a wrap and the figure-eight tie. Scores on each tie are tallied to give the apprentice’s overall score.
The ornamental competition is a time-based test and rewards apprentices who put together a 2-ft. x 2-ft. glazed window the fastest.
The column-climb challenges apprentices to race to the top of a 35-ft. column. The fastest gets all the points.
Outstanding Ironworker Apprentice Challenge Winners
- First Place: Andrew Hrenandez – New Jersey Local 31
- Second Place: Keith Fergus – Toronto Local 721
- Third Place: Tyler Haanpaa – St. Louis Local 27
Column Climb Challenge Winners
- First Place: Matt Hlywiak 5.73 seconds - Philadelphia Local 401
- Second Place: Brian Knecht 7.31 seconds - Philadelphia Local 401
- Third Place: Phillipe Charland 7.44 seconds - Calgary Local 725
The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IABSO&RIW) was founded in 1896 in Pittsburgh, Penn. They now represent more than 125,000 Ironworkers throughout the United States and Canada. The IABSO&RIW's mission is to improve the working conditions of its members while promoting constructive relationships with their employers to increase work opportunities.
