Groundhog Day has spoken and an early spring is on the horizon!
While winter isn’t quite done with us yet, warmer days are coming, making now the perfect time for contractors to prepare for the seasonal shift. From transitioning systems to spring maintenance and gearing up for cooling season, early predictions like this help the HVACR industry stay one step ahead.
Stay tuned – and stay informed – with Air Waves. | | |
Our good friend and ORAC Past President (2017-2019), passed away on January 21, 2026 at the age of 67 after a brave battle with cancer.
Ron was an upbeat, positive and optimistic person even while facing his battle with cancer.
Our thoughts go out to Ron’s family at this difficult time.
ORAC made a donation to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in memory of Ron.
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ORAC is proud to host regular Virtual Apprentice Intake Info Sessions for the Public
Following the success of ORAC’s first public Apprentice Intake Information Session in November, we’re excited to continue the momentum with our second webinar on February 12.
By opening these sessions beyond colleges to anyone interested, ORAC is able to share clear, accessible information on the skilled trades pathway, the HVACR apprenticeship process, and answer frequently asked questions. The strong turnout from parents, students, maintenance mechanics, and individuals exploring a career change confirmed the growing interest in HVACR careers and the need for ongoing education and guidance.
Building on the overwhelmingly positive response, this upcoming webinar will once again provide valuable insight, resources, and next steps for those considering a career in the skilled trades continuing ORAC’s commitment to supporting the future of the HVACR industry.
Our next virtual session is February 12th at 3:00pm - Click Here to Register
| | APPRENTICE INTAKE INTERVIEWS - CONTRACTOR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | | |
Contractor Volunteers are requested to assist with completing intake interviews. You will be provided with a standardized interview template. Help shape the future of the industry and meet up and coming apprentice candidates.
IN PERSON - GTA CANDIDATES: March 17, 18, 19
9:00am-12:00pm | 12:30pm-4:00pm
Hilton Garden Toronto/Brampton - 2648 Steeles Ave E, Brampton, ON L6S 6J9
VIRTUAL - OUTSIDE OF GTA CANDIDATES: March 16 & 23
9:00am-12:00pm | 12:30pm-4:00pm
Email Taborah at tcampbell@orac.ca with your availability
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Winter First-Year Apprentice Intake Program
Open for Applications Until February 28, 2026
ORAC’s Apprentice Intake Program is open for applications from December 1 to February 28, and the interest has been strong with over 400+ applications received to date.
If you know someone considering a career in the HVAC/R trade, encourage them to review the application requirements and FAQs on our website before applying.
This is a great opportunity for individuals looking to start their 313A Commercial HVACR Apprenticeship journey with Ontario’s leading union contractors.
Applications must be submitted online at www.orac.ca/apprentice by February 28 to be considered for this intake period. Interviews will take place in March, with final selections on the Ready to Hire List by April 1.
Reach out to ORAC's Apprentice Intake Coordinator, Taborah Campbell at tcampbell@orac.ca with any questions.
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Ready-to-Hire First-Year Apprentices - Available Now
Looking to strengthen your workforce for the future?
ORAC’s Ready-to-Hire (RTH) List features pre-qualified first-year apprentice candidates who are ready to start work now. Each candidate has been carefully vetted through ORAC’s Apprentice Intake process, including application review, testing, and in-person interviews conducted by the ORAC Apprentice Intake Committee alongside fellow contractor volunteers.
Hiring from the RTH List allows contractors to confidently bring on motivated entry-level talent and invest in developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople within their organization. It’s a proactive way to build loyalty, transfer knowledge, and support the long-term sustainability of our industry.
Click here to access the Ready-to-Hire List
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CMPX Tradeshow
March 25 - 27, 2026 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre
| | ORAC Association - Booth #1245
Copeland - Booth #1503
Yorkland Controls - Booth #928
Kilmer Environmental - Booth #1123
Lennox - Booth #1723 | | |
Bitzer - Booth #1330
RefPlus - Booth #1606
AllTemp - Booth #1703
Hospitality Reception:
O'Dell HVAC Group - The Pint Public House - March 26th
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
ORAC's 59th Annual General Meeting | Quebec City | May 14 - 17, 2026
Physical Booklets have been mailed out!
Join ORAC in Old Québec for our 2026 AGM at the iconic Fairmont Château Frontenac.
The week kicks off Thursday with an Associate Welcome Cocktail Reception in the historic Rose Room.
Friday night features a Sugar Shack Chic experience - an elevated, high-energy take on the traditional cabane à sucre, brought to life by Painchaud Productions, complete with immersive entertainment and Québec flair.
Saturday concludes with the President’s Gala - Evening of Darkness at the Fairmont.
Optional excursions will be available on Friday and Saturday.
Registration is $899 per person, with a special ORAC group rate of $399 per night at the Fairmont Château Frontenac (plus applicable taxes and fees).
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May 14, 2026
ORAC Registration
Welcome Cocktail Reception
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May 15, 2026
Breakfast (Vouchers)
Optional EXC:
Île d’Orléans Taste Trail Tour
Optional EXC:
Quebec Walking Historic Tour
Optional EXC:
5 - Course Gourmet Foodie & History Tour
Maple & Mischief: A Sugar Shack Reimagined
Cocktail Reception
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May 16, 2026
Breakfast (Vouchers)
Annual General Meeting (Contractor Designated Delegates Only)
Optional EXC:
5 - Course Gourmet Foodie & History Tour
Optional EXC:
Quebec City Craft Beer Tasting Tour
Evening of Darkness President's Gala
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Save the Date
Spring Forum & Golf | Richmond Hill Golf Course | May 27
Charity Golf Tournament | Copper Creek Golf Course | July 30
| | Brazing is now open for 2026
February 26th - 3 Spots Remaining | When 2026 dates are released, they will be available HERE. | |  | |
Off-Site Brazing provides the option to have a TSSA inspector come directly to your shop to witness your technician’s braze and approve the certification (provided by ORAC).
To register for an Off-Site Brazing certificate, please click HERE.
| | | Chiller & Cooling Tower Operation and Maintenance of Chillers | | |
Date: February 7-8, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Training Location: Ottawa Training Centre
1570 Liverpool CT #6, Ottawa, ON K1B-4L2
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Date: March 7-8, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Training Location: Ottawa Training Centre
1570 Liverpool CT #6, Ottawa, ON K1B-4L2
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CO2 Carbon Dioxide (R744)
The R744 (CO2) training program will provide the participant with an opportunity to discover the uses of natural refrigerants in the refrigeration sector, and to safely work with R744. The session will provide an overview of Transcortical CO2 design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of a system containing R744. There will be an instructor led demonstration of refrigeration system utilizing R744 and the associated control system.
Date: February 28, 2026 - March 1, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Training Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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A2L Refrigerant Training Day Program
The Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC) is pleased to offer Daytime A2L Training for UA 787 members employed by ORAC contractors this November and December 2025. This no-cost training is provided in partnership with UA 787 and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
About the Program
The JTAC A2L Program, developed jointly with ESCO, focuses on the new A2L mildly flammable refrigerants replacing phased-out products. The training provides essential awareness and safe handling and transportation practices for:
- 313A and 313D Apprentices (AP)
- Journeypersons (JP)
- Maintenance Mechanics (MM)
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Gas Fitters (GF)
This four-hour course includes prescribed instruction followed by an ESCO-endorsed Certification Test. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion upon passing.
Training sessions can be scheduled:
Morning: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Training will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams, or in-person (depending on group size and proximity to the JTAC Training Centre in Brampton.
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Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Training Delivery: Hybrid (in person and online)
Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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Date: March 4, 2026
#1 - Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Training Delivery: Hybrid (in person and online)
Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
#2 - Time: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Training Delivery: Hybrid (in person and online)
Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm
Training Delivery: Hybrid (in person and online)
Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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Electrical Troubleshooting (2 Day course)
Electrical Troubleshooting will provide the participant with a review of using HVACR diagrams for diagnostic and troubleshooting of systems. In person attendance is limited to 20 participants.
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Date: February 7-8, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Training Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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Date: March 7-8, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Training Location: Brampton Training Centre
419 Deerhurst Drive, Brampton, ON L6T-5K3
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Dispatcher Training
February 25, 2026 - February 26, 2026
This two-day program will provide dispatchers with all the skills they need to dramatically improve job performance. This program goes beyond traditional technical training to cover such critical dispatcher skills as leading technicians rather than letting technicians lead them, becoming the service manager’s partner, prioritizing customer emergencies, evaluating technician abilities, and managing their own careers in dispatching.
After attending this program, dispatchers will be able to improve their job performance by learning how to:
- Identify the service life cycle and the critical contact points that impact service success;
- Recognize the importance of the dispatcher’s job and its impact on the organization’s profitability;
- Communicate effectively with technicians and customers;
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and use good decision-making approaches for optimum priority setting and effective resource allocation.
Time
The event will take place over two full days, lunch will be provided
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Ontario eases labour mobility and access to inter-provincial workforces | As of January 1, 2026, it is easier for skilled workers to begin working in Ontario if they are certified to practice a regulated profession elsewhere in Canada. | | | | |
ORAC’s Joint Training Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC) is jointly funded, with 50% supported by ORAC and 50% by UA 787 Technicians
Program oversight is provided by the JTAC Trustee Committee, which meets regularly to review operations, make funding decisions, and ensure the program continues to support apprentices and employers across the industry.
Your ORAC JTAC Committee Representatives are:
Tony Mammoliti (Ambient Mechanical Ltd)
Josh Bell (CIMCO Refrigeration)
Mike Tough (DX Systems Solutions)
Dino Russo (Applied Systems Technologies)
| | Paul Wrigley - Managing Director | | |
Aimee White - Manager, Programs & Communications
(E) awhite@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 103
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Taborah Campbell- Apprentice Intake Coordinator
(E) tcampbell@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 106
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Natalia Pacholczyk - Events & Marketing Coordinator
(E) npacho@orac.ca
(P) 905.670.0010 x 101
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