IDEAL Canada Wraps up Eighth Season of Battle of the Schools

This year, IDEAL Canada is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing in Canada. In the spirit of celebration, the company has given apprentices across the country another chance to show off their talents and celebrate their skills as burgeoning electricians with the Battle of the Schools.

IDEAL awarded over $25,000 in cash in prizes to apprentices and Canadian trade schools, in their continued support of the electrical industry’s next generation. In addition to the Battle of the Schools, held under the theme of “Wiring Better Futures”, IDEAL is also a big supporter of the Tools in the Trades Bootcamp, which offers young people an avenue into the trades by providing training, tools, and networking opportunities.

2023 marked the eighth season of its “highly charged” Battle of the Schools competition open to all electrical apprentices. The event took place this year between March 20th and October 27th, with over 50 events held at Canadian trade schools, IBEW and EJTC Training Centres. The competition centres around a wiring board that apprentices must complete successfully with the fastest time.

Over 600 student apprentices competed in the challenge this year, resulting in six regional winners including a National IBEW Champion and a National Trade School Champion.

Nathan Chapman from Medicine Hat College (AB)
IDEAL Canada Wraps up Eighth Season of Battle of the Schools
Nathan Chapman, Medicine Hat College (BC)

Daniel Ford of EJTC IBEW 213 (BC) took home the National IBEW title and Nathan Chapman from Medicine Hat College (AB) took home the Trade School title.

They were each awarded $2,000 in scholarships and a custom IDEAL Muskoka chair. Each of the regional winners were awarded $1,000 in scholarships and a custom IDEAL Muskoka chair. On top of that, the schools of the respective winners each received over $2,500 worth of IDEAL tools and supplies.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Daniel FordElectrical Joint Training Committee, IBEW 213BC
Nathan ChapmanMedicine Hat CollegeAB
Derek LamyAssiniboine Community CollegeMB/SK
Biagio IannantuonoIBEW 804 BreslauON
Lorenzo LosciutoAvironQC
Arezki TakherbouchtCCNB DieppeAtlantic

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Stephanie Medeiros on EV Infrastructure in Canada, Innovative Technologies, Well-Planned Charging Networks, & Commercial Fleets

    Stephanie Medeiros on EV Infrastructure in Canada, Innovative Technologies, Well-Planned Charging Networks, & Commercial Fleets

    September 3, 2026 By Blake Marchand In this Q&A with Stephanie Medeiros, the Head of Mobility at Schneider Electric Canada provides insight into her perspective on EV charging infrastructure in Canada, factors that will contribute to growing EV adoption, grid modernization for commercial fleets, the role of Vehicle-to-Grid and other innovative approaches to electrification. The focus of… Read More…

  • LEDVANCE: Understanding Light Beam Angles

    LEDVANCE: Understanding Light Beam Angles

    September 3, 2026 Light Beam Angles: How It Affects Different Types of Lighting, Where It Is Applied & What to Consider When Choosing the Right One Beam angle is important in lighting design. It determines how light spreads within a space and influences both functionality and atmosphere. By understanding beam angles, you can achieve both… Read More…

  • ITC 101 Series: Why Certifications (UL, CSA) Matter in Industrial Components

    ITC 101 Series: Why Certifications (UL, CSA) Matter in Industrial Components

    September 2, 2026 By ITC Electrical Components When selecting industrial electrical components, certification is more than a logo on a datasheet. A certification mark indicates that a product or component has been independently evaluated against specified requirements for its intended market. In North America, selecting products with the appropriate certification can affect regulatory acceptance, equipment… Read More…

  • Project Spotlight: Leigh Square Fountain

    Project Spotlight: Leigh Square Fountain

    September 2, 2026 In spring 2025, the City of Port Coquitlam unveiled a transformed Leigh Square, reimagined as a vibrant, accessible, and welcoming gathering place in the heart of downtown. At the heart of the renewed plaza, a Bellagio-style programmable dancing fountain is integrated directly into the paving—three interlocking rings where jets rise, fall, and… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • 2026 Ontario Apprenticeship Awards Call for Nominations

    2026 Ontario Apprenticeship Awards Call for Nominations

    September 3, 2026 Skilled Trades Ontario is proud to open nominations for the 2026 Ontario Apprenticeship Awards, recognizing outstanding apprentices, journeypersons, organizations and skilled trades leaders who are helping strengthen Ontario’s apprenticeship system. Award recipients will be announced at the Ontario Apprenticeship Summit on November 4, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre. Nominations must be submitted… Read More…

  • Bartle & Gibson Announces New Partnership with Hubbell Canada

    Bartle & Gibson Announces New Partnership with Hubbell Canada

    September 3, 2026 Bartle & Gibson Co. Ltd., an Alberta-based premier plumbing, heating and electrical distributor and Hubbell Canada have announced a new regional partnership enabling increased access to Hubbell Canada’s end-to-end electrical product portfolio across Western Canada. “With our strong presence in the west through 31 branches and counting located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British… Read More…

  • Bartle & Gibson Opens Salmon Arm Location

    Bartle & Gibson Opens Salmon Arm Location

    September 3, 2026 Bartle & Gibson opened their new Salmon Arm location on July 20th. The Salmon Arm location features: This site is strategically positioned in the city of Salmon Arm, located near to the busy Picadilly Mall.  Salmon Arm branch is located at: 621- 10 Street SW Salmon ARM, BC V1E 1T1 Photo Source Read More…

  • MacKinnon Magnetics Announces Partnership with Resilient Sales Corporation in Northeastern Ontario

    MacKinnon Magnetics Announces Partnership with Resilient Sales Corporation in Northeastern Ontario

    September 3, 2026 MacKinnon Magnetics is pleased to welcome Resilient Sales Corporation as their newest sales agency partner. Resilient Sales will represent MacKinnon Magnetics across Northeastern Ontario, including the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound. Key markets include Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, Huntsville, Bracebridge and Parry Sound. “This partnership expands… Read More…