George Brown Polytechnic students from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician and Technology programs in the School of Skilled Trades delivered outstanding performances at the 2026 Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Expo (CMPX), taking the podium across post-secondary skills competitions in heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
Top honours in competitions
The Heating competition featured a challenging series of tasks that tested participants' technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and real-world trade abilities under time constraints. Matthew Wall won the silver medal, while Matthew Lynch took bronze, marking a strong performance for the institution in a highly competitive field.
The momentum carried over to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning competition, with Mehtab Singh earning gold and Andrea Marinelli taking silver. Their results demonstrated not only technical skill but also precision, professionalism, and confidence in applying refrigeration and air-conditioning principles in practical situations.
Other George Brown students who competed in the events included Daniel Machell, Stefan Laing, Yafet Gezahign, and Masih Mahmondian, all contributing to a solid overall showing from George Brown.
Held March 25-27, CMPX is Canada's leading event for HVACR and plumbing professionals. The post-secondary skills competitions are a key feature of the show, with challenges designed to reflect real-world industry requirements. Students are assessed on electricity, system mechanics, safety standards, equipment commissioning, and troubleshooting along with a mock interview providing valuable professional feedback.
Collaborative support and mentorship
The success at CMPX was made possible through the exceptional commitment of faculty members Sergejs Golomedovs and Steven Racey. Both instructors volunteered their time beyond their regular teaching duties to train, mentor, and prepare students for the competition. Their expertise, attention to detail, and dedication played a vital role in ensuring students were ready to compete with confidence and professionalism on a national stage.
Reflecting on the students' achievements, Dr. Adel Esayed, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Construction and Engineering Technologies, praised the collective effort behind the wins.
"These results truly reflect the strength of our polytechnic and the dedication of our students, faculty, and staff. When passion meets preparation, great things happen," he said. "It was also fantastic to see some of our alumni at the event continuing to thrive in the trades. Thank you to everyone involved in supporting our students. This is something we can all be proud of."
