A Durham College student-professor team was awarded second-place at the 18th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition for excellence in knowledge of a plumbing system.
A silver medal win in Plumbing goes to show just how skilled Durham College Plumbing Apprenticeship students and professors are when it comes to applying their knowledge of a plumbing system with high regard to quality, workmanship and accuracy of work, within a limited time frame.
Mike Gordon, a 2007 Plumbing Apprenticeship graduate and Glenn Coady, professor with the School of Skilled Trades &Apprenticeship placed second in the Plumbing category of the 18th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition, which took place from Monday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 2 at RIM Park and Manulife Financial Sportsplex in Waterloo, Ontario.
Coady competed in the competition in 1996, winning gold at the provincial level and silver at the national level. "The competition was quite different then and I feel the challenges become more exciting each year," he said. "After a rigorous nine-hour competition, Mike and I were able to take the silver in plumbing."
The competition tests applied mathematical concepts involving plumbing and layout; reading and interpreting diagrams and specifications; the assembly of gas piping, a PVC drainage and ventilation system and hot and cold water distribution system; the assembly of a black and galvanized steel threaded pipe, hard and soft copper and plastic solders; the assembly and installation of plumbing accessories and support brackets; the bending of copper pipe using mechanical benders; measurements taken from a horizontal and vertical bench mark; and the application of safe work practices.
The competition also included a five-minute job interview portion designed to assist competitors with fully preparing for their eventual job searches. It contributed to five per cent of their overall mark. Job interview requirements included a resumé, answering interview questions and discussion. Feedback was provided to competitors to help them prepare them for the real-life experience of a job interview.