IBEW Local 353 retiree Wayne Lawrence is stepping down after 17 years of volunteering for the Skills Ontario Electrical Competition Committee. Next Gen member and long-time Skills volunteer Aaron Zboch-Alves will be taking on his portfolio of responsibilities.
Wayne Lawrence talks about the importance of the Skills Competition as Aaron Zboch-Alves looks on.
On Thursday September 13, Wayne Lawrence announced that he was stepping down from the Skills Ontario committee at a Local 353 meeting.
“I am passing this challenge on to a younger Local 353 team that I have mentored these past few years,” said Lawrence, “who I know will continue this outstanding Electrical Skills Competition event to the fullest.”
The incoming logistics lead, Aaron Zboch-Alves, has been involved with Skills Ontario for a number of years. In this article, he spoke about the incredible amount of volunteer effort that goes into Skills every year.
Thanking Local 353 On Behalf of Skills
Wayne Lawrence presents the plaque to Local 353 Business Manager Steven Martin, with Aaron Zboch-Alves.
At the same meeting, Lawrence also presented an award to Local 353 Business Manager Steven Martin on behalf of Joint Electrical Promotion Plan (a joint partnership between the ECAO and the IBEW).
As he presented the plaque, Lawrence said, “On behalf of the Skills Ontario Electrical Competition Committee, we would like to thank the Local 353 Executive Board, along with the membership, for their outstanding support over the many years that I have been involved with this event.”
Lawrence spoke about the amount of support Local 353 provides for the Skills competition. “Today, they not only sponsor the Sponsor’s Welcome Breakfast, but also supply personnel for the events set-up, tear-down, judging, and the career booth as well.”
While local contractors, electrical educators, the Electrical Safety Authority, and other organizations also supply competition judges, the hands-on work is almost entirely done by Local 353 volunteers.
Said Lawrence, “Once again thank you, because without your everlasting support this event wouldn’t be the success it is today.”