Belleville, Ontario, May 16, 2014 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce that Construction Renovation Techniques student Benjamin Hoftyzer was awarded the silver medal for Carpentry – Individual at the 25th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), May 6 at Waterloo’s RIM Park.
“We’re very proud of Benjamin and of all our skills and technology students who represented the College at the OTSC,” said Ann Drennan, Dean of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology. “In competing with top students and apprentices from across Ontario, they showcased the knowledge and expertise that they have learned at Loyalist.”
“In the competition, Benjamin displayed sportsmanship and craftsmanship as he independently translated and constructed the blueprints,” explained Tom Falcao, Coordinator of the Construction and Renovation Techniques program. “The project challenged the competitors on a number of framing techniques and details, including wall framing, window and door openings, roof rafters, and wood beams. Congratulations to Ben for a job well done.”
“It was a little intimidating to have so many spectators watching, as those are not the conditions under which I normally work,” Benjamin commented. “I was proud to represent Loyalist and apply the skills that I have learned. The program has given me confidence in my abilities and my capacity to execute them.”
Other students who represented Loyalist at this year’s competition included:
- Motive Power Technician – Service and Management students Evan Fletcher (9th) and Tim Marquette (13th), who competed in Auto Service Technology;
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician students:
Dan Thompson (5th) and Josh Vanier (7th), who competed in Mechanical Design;
Eden Degrasse (6th) and Jacob Yntema (7th), who competed in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM);
Steve Mullin (6th), who competed in Precision Machining; and - Welding and Fabrication Technician students Rebecca Chokly (8th) and Adam Fairbrass (10th), who competed in Welding.
The OTSC is the largest skilled trades competition in Canada and offers more than 60 career-focused areas for students to compete. Skills Canada – Ontario, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades careers, has been hosting the Olympics-style competition for more than two decades. This year over 30,000 spectators cheered on 1,900 competitors from elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools from across Ontario.
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536