Lodge 580 Apprentice Competes in the Canadian Skill Competition

July 19, 2010

Lodge 580 Apprentice Competes in the Canadian Skill Competition

Jared Cloutier, an apprentice in Lodge 580 in Halifax, won the gold medal at the Nova Scotia Skill Competition at the Akerley Nova Scotia Community College in Dartmouth, on April 29, 2010. The competition included aluminum GTAW, stainless steel GTAW and a mild steel project done with SMAW, GMAW and FCAW. Each of the projects had time limits that ranged from 90 minutes to 3 hours. The competitors were required to fit & weld the projects as per the drawings requirements.

Jared Cloutier with his Gold & Silver medals

On May 21 & 22, Brother Cloutier competed in the Canadian Skills Competition in Waterloo, Ontario, winning the silver medal. There were competitors from all over the country, one for each province and territory. The competition included aluminum GTAW, stainless steel GTAW, and two mild steel projects welded with GTAW, GMAW, SMAW and FCAW. The GTAW projects had time limits of 1 hour 45 minutes and the two mild steel projects had 3 and 6 hour time limits using drawings.

Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, labour unions and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth.

Jared Cloutier said that the two competitions were "very stressful but enjoyable, meeting welders from across Canada."

The president of Lodge 580, Bob Fish, said "Lodge 580 members are very proud of Jared. This is the only apprentice from 580 to my knowledge to compete in the Skills Competitions and have the success that he achieved."

"Jared is a very mature apprentice, he's got tremendous skill in the trade, he's very observant of the senior welders. Everyone in our work center enjoys working with him," Yves Fournier, Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of Lodge 580, said. He continued, "Local 580 is very proud of Jared's accomplishments at the welding competitions, provincial and national."

International Vice President of Eastern Canada, Edward Power, said "Lodge 580 has a proud history of hard working trades people and Jared Cloutier's gold & silver medals is an example of this." IVP Power further added "Lodge 580 members should also take a bit of credit for Jared's medals because of the magnificent example they have provided to the apprentices over the years, keeping the Canadian Navy ready to serve our country."