On July 7, the Ironworkers Local 97 hosted the Ironworker Western District Apprenticeship Competition and Open House at the BCIT Steel Trades on Burnaby Campus. Ironworker apprentices, journeypersons, contractors, clients, suppliers and their families came from all over Western Canada at the event.
Fifteen competitors from across Western Canada who had previously won in their respective local runoffs. The winners from the Western District Apprenticeship Competition move on to compete with the top ironworker apprentices in North America. This year the finals will be held in Minneapolis, MN on September 19th – 22nd.
This family friendly event featured some interactive demonstrations and showcased the talents of our BC ironworker apprentices and the world class training and support at BCIT.
Local 97 is a member-driven organization of ironworkers. It represents over 1,800 men and women in the British Columbia ironworking industry. Formed in 1906, Local 97 has been representing ironworkers in BC and the Yukon. Chances are you have driven across or worked in an office tower built by Local 97! Between 1955 and 1970, there were 528 bridges completed in British Columbia, including the Second Narrows, the Okanagan Floating Bridge, the original Port Mann, and the Oak Street Bridge.