Joseph Cinq-Mars (left) won the gold medal in the Industrial Mechanic / Millwright competition at the Canadian National Skills Competition in Edmonton, Alberta this week. A graduate of Mohawk's Industrial Millwright Mechanic Program, Joseph competed at the national skills competition after winning the gold medal at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition earlier this month.

Technological skills competitions are Olympic-style events that give newcomers to skilled trades the opportunity to put their newly developed skills to the test. At the Ontario Skills Competition, Joseph, 21, competed in four events, including a lathe project, a gearbox inspection, a coupling alignment and completing a pneumatic circuit. He won gold in that event which qualified him for the National Skills Competition in Edmonton where he went up against gold medal winners from every other province and territory. Similar to Ontario Skills Competition, Joseph has to complete a series of projects including the complete assembly of a work station to precise specifications and side projects such as pneumatic circuits, welding and lathe work.

A native of Cayuga, Ontario, Joseph is making preparations to move to Norman Wells, North West Territories to start a job with Imperial Oil. 

OYAP is a long-standing program of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universitry’s Apprenticeship Branch that gives secondary school students the opportunity to become apprentices and work part-time while completing a secondary diploma. Mohawk College offers OYAP programs in partnership with the Ministry and various school boards, including the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

The Brantford culinary program was the first time that the apprenticeship portion was offered on a part-time basis as opposed to a block. Students completed their hours during the evening and continued their secondary studies during the regular school day. 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgFktsGi8jQ]

The fair was an opportunity for students and graduates to speak with more than 50 employers about opportunities for full time, co-op, part time, apprenticeships and seasonal employment.