SKILLS CANADA

Precision and details matter during a recent Skills Canada trades competition.

2012 Skills Canada competition heats up

OTTAWA
Source

Competition is heating up across the country as the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition swiftly approaches as students vie for a spot on Team Canada.

Following regional and provincial-territorial competitions, the national competition will take place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre from May 14 to 15.

Winners will form Team Canada to participate in the 2013 WorldSkills International Competition in Leipzig, Germany.

“While this is a very exciting time for our competitors as they vie for a spot on Team Canada, it is also an exciting time for the skills movement,” said Christianne Scholfield, Skills Canada director of communications. “With Canada currently experiencing a shortage of skilled trades and technology workers, the Skills Canada competitions create awareness around the value in pursuing a career in skilled trades.”

More than 500 youth from all regions of Canada compete in over 40 trade and technology areas in this annual competition. Founded in 1994, the Skills Canada National Competition is the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young students and apprentices in the country. It provides an opportunity for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.

The competition is meant to promote Canadian youth to pursue careers in skilled trades and technology. Construction trades featured at the competition include: automation and control, brick masonry, cabinetmaking, carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, refrigeration, sheet metal work, welding and landscape gardening.

Zack Hartle, a 21-year old from Calgary completing his journeyman electrician certificate this summer, will compete for the fourth year in a row. He won first place in last year’s provincial competition and placed fourth in the national competition. This year, he has his eyes set on gold.

“Every year I compete, I learn more and am able to broaden my skill level as an electrician,” Hartle explains. “I am really excited about this year’s competition and the possibility of qualifying for the world competition in Germany.”

He will compete in automation and control May 10 to 11 at the provincial competition in Edmonton.

The events are open to the public and school groups and young career seekers can take part in interactive Try-A-Trade demonstrations as well as visiting with employers and recruiters, industry associations, labour groups, training institutes and government partners.

For more information, visit the Skills Canada National Competition Website at www.skillscanada.com.

Every two years, competitors selected from the Skills Canada National Competition form Team Canada and compete at the WorldSkills Competition, against the best in the world.  This will be the 12th annual international competition with Canadian participation.

DCN NEWS SERVICES