Back to School with the Ideal National Championship: Qualifying Round Extended

August 29, 2018

Ideal has extended the 2018 National Championship qualifying round to October 19. The “Nationals” has been extremely popular across Canada, and with this extension Ideal will be better able to meet the demand to hold qualifying events, particularly from colleges and trade schools. (Shown in photo: students at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC step up to the challenge in the 2018 Ideal National Championship qualifying round.)

Described by many as “the most thrilling competition in the electrical industry,” the Nationals can also be a valuable teaching tool for aspiring electricians. Competitors complete a wiring challenge using Ideal tools while racing against the clock. Greg Otte, an instructor at The Centre for Skills Development and Training in Burlington, Ontario, notes that “as a learning tool I was able to relate the break-neck speed and the organization that was required to successfully get a decent time to a more normal ‘productive’ speed… implying that there is a happy medium.”

To date, Ideal has held an astounding 175 National Championship qualifying events across Canada — at schools, union halls, distributor branches, and directly with contactors. The events have been well received by professionals and students alike. “Our students still talk about how challenging and fun it was,” says Otte.

At the end of the qualifying round, Canada’s fastest competitors will be invited to The Championship Weekend in Orlando, including up to five electrical students/apprentices. There, they will put their skills to the test in four rounds of intense competition, vying for the top student prize of US$30,000. Ideal will also donate US$5,000 in IDEALcash to the winner’s trade school.

If you are an educator interested in scheduling a Nationals qualifying event at your school, contact Ideal’s Marketing Manager, Erin Hawley erin.hawley@idealindustries.com  

For more information on the IDEAL National Championship, visit www.idealnationals.com

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Canada Announces Leadership Updates

    LEDVANCE Canada Announces Leadership Updates

    February 19, 2026 LEDVANCE Canada is sharing two leadership updates that further strengthen support for customers and channel partners across the country. Lori Bagazzoli has been appointed Head of Strategic Sales – LEDVANCE Canada, with a focus on expanding support for the Project and Specification market and accelerating growth in strategic opportunities. In this role, Lori Bagazzoli Read More…

  • Franklin Empire Inc. Announces Acquisition of O’Neil Electric Supply, Strengthening its Presence in Ontario and Eastern Canada

    Franklin Empire Inc. Announces Acquisition of O’Neil Electric Supply, Strengthening its Presence in Ontario and Eastern Canada

    February 18, 2026 Franklin Empire Inc., a leading independent electrical distributor in Eastern Canada, is proud and excited to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire O’Neil Electric Supply, an Ontario-based electrical distributor, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. This strategic acquisition further strengthens Franklin Empire’s Read More…

  • Nominations Now Open for 8th Biennial MEET Innovation Awards

    Nominations Now Open for 8th Biennial MEET Innovation Awards

    February 13, 2026 The Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology Show (MEET) is pleased to announce that the ‘MEET Innovation Awards’ will return as part of the 2026 edition of the show. The purpose of these awards is to recognize innovative products in the industry. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves or others by completing this online form no Read More…

  • 2026 ECABC Hall of Fame Nominations

    2026 ECABC Hall of Fame Nominations

    February 12, 2026 On June 2nd, ECABC will hold a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as part of their Awards Gala Dinner at the Association’s 2026 Conference and AGM in Kelowna. ECABC would like to invite you to nominate an extraordinary individual from the electrical industry to join the organizations esteemed Hall of Fame! Induction into the Read More…