Abbotsford, B.C. – This past Wednesday, MCABC was at the Skills Canada BC Provincial Competition at the Abbotsford Trade and Exhibition Centre, joining students, parents, educators, and industry partners for a full day of skilled trades and technology competitions spanning everything from plumbing and refrigeration to robotics, welding, and more.
As part of NextGen Month — an initiative focused on spotlighting emerging leaders and connecting youth to careers in mechanical contracting — MCABC staff and NextGen Board Directors were on-site engaging directly with students, sharing insight, and helping bring visibility to the opportunities within our industry.
Check out our recap video below for a closer look at the day.
Supporting the Next Generation on the Competition Floor
MCABC was proud to participate as a Competition Area Sponsor, supporting the competitions as students worked through high-pressure, real-world scenarios.
Across the floor, competitors demonstrated an impressive level of precision, technical ability, and problem-solving—often completing complex builds within just a few hours.
Congratulations to all competitors and winners. The talent and focus on display across competitions—including Plumbing, Welding, Sheet Metal, Sprinkler Fitting, and Steamfitter/Pipefitting—was a strong reflection of the future of the skilled trades in B.C.
Industry Conversations and Hands-On Learning
At the MCABC booth, students were invited to get hands-on with a ProPEX expansion tool demo led by MCABC NextGen Board Chair Scott Kenward, Senior Project Manager at Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc., and Vice Chair Eddie Vaughan, Head of Operations at Vaughan Ventures Ltd.
Using plastic piping, T-joints, and a ProPEX expansion tool, students assembled simple systems while learning how modern plumbing connections are made. The booth saw strong engagement throughout the day, with students asking thoughtful questions about how to get started, what different career paths can look like, and where the trades can take them.
Student curiosity was evident throughout the day. Many left with a stronger understanding of the range and variety of opportunities within mechanical contracting, and the scale of work across commercial and industrial projects.
Investing in our Industry’s Future
MCABC extends its thanks to Skills Canada BC, event organizers, volunteers, and competitors for making the day possible. On the competition floor, students demonstrated focus, skill, and pride in their craft while working under pressure, offering a powerful reminder of the talent entering the trades. Connecting with schools and institutions from across the province, and hearing directly from students as they explore their futures, reinforced the importance of continued industry engagement.
We’re proud to support initiatives like this—and look forward to being back next year.
About
The Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. (MCABC) is the dedicated representative of the mechanical contracting industry in British Columbia – the industry with the largest share of skilled trades workers in the construction sector. As the connection to industry excellence for our diverse membership, we deliver education and professional development programs that enable high standards of practice and business success. Through advocacy and strong industry partnerships, we influence policy and regulatory development at all levels of government, advancing the interests of our industry and improving its ability to meet B.C.’s growing infrastructure demand.
Media Contact
Conor Brendan Dunne
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
cdunne@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058
