GBC skilled trades student wins gold in heating systems competition at the 2024 Canadian Mechanical Plumbing Exposition

GBC student wins gold in the annual Heating Gauntlet competition at CMPX.

George Brown College skilled trades students continue to shine on the national stage. Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program student Justin Pham brought home a gold medal at the annual Canadian Mechanical Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) this month. 

Justin was among four students from his program competing at CMPX 2024 at the Metro Convention Centre in downtown Toronto March 20 – 22, winning a gold medal in the Heating Systems Gauntlet. Andrea Russell, Brian Lau and Oliver Francescutto also represented GBC in the competition. 

"These industry competitions provide great opportunities for our students to demonstrate their skills and connect with professionals to get feedback,” said Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies Dean Dr. Adel Esayed. “Congratulations on your gold-medal effort, Justin, and congratulations, Andrea, Brian and Oliver. We all recognize the hard work you put in to prepare for this event and you all did us proud!” 

The GBC competitors dedicated three days above and beyond scheduled class time to prepare for the CMPX challenge. 

Learn more about programs at the School of Apprenticeship and Skilled Trades at the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies

Getting Ready for Skills Ontario 2024

Preparations are underway for the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition on May 6 and 7 at the Toronto Congress Centre, where more students from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program, including Stefan Amaral and Lucas Lima, will be competing. 

At the 2023 competition, GBC students won three gold medals (baking, culinary arts and restaurant services), a silver (baking) and a bronze (sheet metal). Two of the Skills Ontario gold medal winners — Chloe Nguyen in Baking and Negus King in Culinary Arts — went on to compete at the 2023 Skills Canada competition. 

We can’t wait to see GBC students perform in May!  

A LEADER IN SKILLED TRADES TRAINING AND EDUCATION 

With nearly 60 years of experience preparing skilled trades professionals, we're experts in giving students the know-how and real-world experience they need to succeed. 

GBC provides opportunities for skilled trades students to ladder up their credentials with certificate, graduate certificate, diploma and degree programs. It’s all part of our commitment to lifelong learning and promoting career success in essential fields. 

Learn more about skilled trades training at GBC: 

A GBC Engineering student on a job site