Official Launch Heralds New Era In Training

As Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities* wielded tin snips, cleaving the steel ribbon at the official opening of the Provincial Sheet Metal Training Centre on June 25, 2007, he officially heralded in a new era in apprentice training in the sheet metal industry in Ontario.  The state of the art facility located in Oakville is jointly sponsored by the Ontario Sheet Metal and Air Handling Group (OSM) and the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ & Roofers’ conference and managed by a board made up of the two groups, equally represented.  Before he addressed the crowd, Mr. Bentley insisted that the group of apprentices in attendance, members of the Centre’s first class, join him at the front of the gathering.  “You apprentices should be front and centre.  You’re the main focus in this whole venture.  You’re becoming members of the skilled trades, part of the fundamental cornerstone of excellence in building the infrastructure of this province.”

Announcing that the province is making a $25 million investment in over 500 training centres across the province, the minister had special news for the Centre: “What that means for this facility is $615,000 to support the training being done here.”  Not only does this allow for up to date equipment, the investment puts apprentice training ten years forward, giving, in Minister Bentley’s words, “a tremendous boost to our ability to deliver training in this sector.”  Addressing the apprentices directly, Bentley emphasized that they are the future of the industry.

“Keep up the good work and stay safe - after all, you’re the ones who are going to move the yardstick in your trade forward.”    

Welcoming the crowd and guests of honour, the Centre’s executive director Kevin Rabishaw, expressed excitement for the future, paying homage to the “group of visionaries” spearheading the Centre’s creation, noting that apprentices would benefit enormously from their support.

A number of industry leaders and public figures attended the event and addressed the crowd, setting a context for this important new chapter in apprentice training in the unionized sheet metal industry.  OSM executive director Wayne Peterson drew attention to the early days of organizing the facility, taking the audience down memory lane:

“I want to go back to 1998 when labour and management got together with the government to investigate what might be possible.  In 2002, just after labour negotiations, OSM and the Conference got together.  Jimmy Moffat and myself criss-crossed this province to get a buy in.  What we found was a will, a vision, the planning and a great design.  Gentlemen, you got it done.” 

Acknowledging the key role the province plays in education, Alan McQuillan, business manager out of London complimented the government for being present and proactive.

As “a proud member” of a trades family whose father was a member of Local 46, Kevin Flynn MPP for Oakville admitted to being an enthusiastic advocate for the Centre.  “This endeavour is an extremely impressive structure that will help us face the challenges of the present and the future,” he predicted.  “Ontario is competing with the rest of the world.  It can only get as far as these young apprentices will take us.”

In fact, apprentice skill was featured as an integral part of the festivities.  The steel ribbon with copper and brass bow was fabricated for the ribbon-cutting event by student Justin Ross.  Coordinator of teaching and curriculum Greg Rodgers supervised apprentices Mark Baxter and Cory Campbell, previous competition winners, working in the industry in the creation of two copper coalscuttles, one of which was presented to Chris Bentley at the end of the ceremony.  The other remains on display at the Centre to mark the opening, along with the ribbon.  Bringing the official opening to a close, Rabishaw, weighed in with his thanks, casting an eye ahead.

“The apprentices are going to benefit enormously from the support of our partners.  There’s no end to the future we’re going to build.  Just watch where we go with this!”