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Even a snowstorm couldn’t stop the saw-off skills competition from going ahead on Saturday (March 4) for 10 Carpenters’ Local 27 apprentices and journeypersons at the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades (CCAT) in Woodbridge, Ont.

The fourth-year apprentices and journeypersons had to show off their overall carpentry skills by working from drawings to complete various timed assignments, including formwork, scaffolding, framing, stairs and trim. An indepth written exam on carpentry and a practicum on tool usage were also part of the event.

“It was very competitive, intense and it brought out all the skillsets of carpentry in all of the competitors,” says Tony Currie, program director of the CCAT.

“This might have been the most skilled group of competitors I have ever seen in a saw-off,” adds Currie, who has organized many of the annual saw-offs hosted by the CCAT over the years.

Judging was based on how much of each assignment was completed and the accuracy of their work. Each workstation was supervised by a CCAT instructor.

Aaron Panter, a journeyperson, won the event and will move on to the provincial apprenticeship competition to compete against winners from other Carpenters’ locals in Ontario.  It will be held in Kingston this spring.

“He is a very energetic, positive guy. He came into the competition like a man possessed. His focus was unbelievable,” says Currie, adding Panter was a last-minute replacement in the competition.

CCAT instructor Brian Gauthier will coach Panter in preparation for the three-day provincial competition. The winner of the provincials will go on to the national competition held this summer in Newfoundland and Labrador.