From Shop Class to Competition Stage: RRC Polytech Apprenticeship Student Shines in Cabinetmaking
Tyler Michaud-Edmonds’ journey to gold at the regional Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) cabinetmaking competition and silver at Skills Canada Manitoba began long before he enrolled at RRC Polytech – it started in his family’s woodshop.
“I come from blue collar work,” Michaud-Edmonds shares. “My dad and grandfather are both carpenters, so I grew up in the shop. I took quickly to shop class in middle school and high school – that’s where I could apply myself and have freedom.”
After graduating high school, Michaud-Edmonds took time to work and reflect before entering RRC Polytech’s Cabinetry and Woodworking program.
“I knew I wasn’t going to thrive in (traditional) academia,” he says. “But I also didn’t want to be outside framing houses in -40 like my dad. Cabinetmaking is hands-on, engaging work and I knew it was something I would enjoy.”
Now a Level 3 apprentice working with Genuwine Cellars, Michaud-Edmonds helps design and build luxury wine and cigar humidors for high-end clients. “It’s kind of a niche market,” he explains.
“We’re a full design and build firm—whatever dream you have, we make it our daily work to bring that to life.”
Like many students, Michaud-Edmonds initially shied away from participating in competitions. However, Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship instructor Todd Birtwhistle, who has overseen the AWMAC competition for 18 years, emphasizes the value in taking the opportunity to compete.
He explained that the AWMAC competition focuses on testing students’ technical skills, while Skills Canada provides students with a venue to experiment and be creative. When students compete in both they are able to push themselves in different ways.
“All competitions are about honing skills—especially time management,” he says. “You’re working under pressure, and things may go wrong. But it’s about troubleshooting the problem at hand and moving forward.”
Birtwhistle adds, “Tyler is a very talented young man. He works for a company building multi-million dollar wine cellars. It’s a very interesting job that he finds stimulating.”
For Michaud-Edmonds, the experience has been transformative.
“It’s been really affirming,” he says. “Like everybody, I struggle with self-confidence. But it’s not even about the winning—you’re in there with people all pushing each other to do their best.”
As Birtwhistle puts it, participating in competitions creates a sense of pride in students’ work that they carry into their careers.
“We’re training them to train others. The more pride we take in our careers, the more that pride gets passed down.”
Last weekend Michaud-Edmonds’ cabinet was on display, representing Manitoba during the 2025 AWMAC National Convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His craftmanship on the project landed him second place amongst entries from the nine AWMAC regional chapters across Canada.