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Alberta's electrical apprentices showcase skills - winner advances, seizes gold at nationals |
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Written by REM
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Edmonton, AB — Alberta's top electrician apprentices converged at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic (SAIT) for the 2009 Alberta Skills Competition in May. Focusing on industrial automation and motor control, contestants used WAGO TOPJOBS EX E terminal blocks to demonstrate electrical knowledge, construction skills and programming abilities.
Over two days, Alberta Skills contestants created a simulated process application, starting with two 4’ wall sections and an empty control cabinet. Following Canadian Electrical Code requirements, they designed, assembled, wired and programmed a control system to simulate assigned processes. WAGO terminal blocks interfaced all switches, limit switches, pilot lights and other associated devices to a PLC.
“With just 10 hours for their projects, competitors welcome time-saving technology,” said Andrew Bleackley, Electrical Instructor at SAIT’s School Of Construction. “WAGO’s donation of 500 TOPJOBS terminal blocks, 750 end plates, end stops, DIN-rails and jumpers minimized wiring times — no time was lost ensuring screws are properly torqued.”
Judges evaluated diagram usage, observation of Occupational Health and Safety rules, install techniques, material selection and component identification. Alberta Skills’ winner, SAIT’s Brendon Button, then joined “Team Alberta” at the 15th nationwide Canadian Skills Competition in late May. Claiming Canada’s top spot, Button also earned the Roger Houle award for workmanship excellence — an award specific to the Automation and Control competition.
Photo: Brendan Button, an electrician apprentice from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic (SAIT), stands in front of his winning cabinet at the provincial competition. Button then advanced to nationals and claimed the gold.
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