Medals awarded to Canada’s Future Skilled Labour Force at the 15th Canadian Skills Competition

 

By Skills/Compétences Canada
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

 

From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony, true competitive spirit was felt by all!
The 500 Competitors took their “mark” at their designated workspaces, in 40 different events, to take on the projects created by industry and education representatives that make up the Skills/Compétences Canada National Technical Committee’s from across Canada. The Competitors were evaluated by independent expert Judges that came from their respective industries. The Judges evaluated the Competitors on various components, including quality of work, safety, cleanliness, skill and creativity.

The Sheet Metal Competitors created a two-foot PEI lighthouse. The Hairdressers created cutting edge masterpieces on their mannequin heads. The Carpenters built an outdoor playhouse. The Cooks and Bakers made culinary creations and Restaurant Service served food and beverages to the dozens of invited VIP guests. All through the competition sites, you saw pairs of young Videographers filming clips for their projects.

Aircraft Maintenance was especially interesting to young visitors as they showcased the interactive F-18 cockpit supplied by the Department of National Defence. The Competitors in Aircraft maintenance from the United Kingdom were competing alongside the Canadian Competitors as they used the Canadian Skills Competition as a final selection event for their Team UK Competitor’s to determine who will represent them at WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

Landscape Gardening Competitors created an outdoor paradise as spectators were awed by their talent and wished they could hire them for themselves. From cobblestone, to plants to arbors, the landscape gardening area was the busiest of the sites with onlookers marveling at their progress throughout the two day Competition.

Nineteen Team Canada Competitors, who will be competing at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada this coming September ,were undergoing training projects alongside the provincial and territorial Champions as a means of enhancing their skills and competitive spirit leading up to the international event.

 

Between the Charlottetown Civic Centre and Holland College, the buzz was continuous, from not only the machines, tools and key tapping, but the excited voices of youth, educators, parents and the general public viewing the competition sites. Each of the 500 competitors workstations were proudly marked with their provincial or territorial flag, representing their journey as a regional Champion to a national contender. Over 4000 people streamed through the two day Competition.

 

Sponsors and partners were represented at booths throughout the venues, sharing their viewpoints on the importance of skilled trade and technology careers to youth. From putting your own yo-yo together, to virtual car painting and promotional material from various institutions, there was plenty for youth to immerse themselves in besides taking in the Competition sites.

Mike Holmes, Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor, from Canada’s HGTV, participated in several events during the course of the two day Competition. As Keynote speaker at the Partnership Breakfast, to an exclusive book signing, to visiting the Construction contest area and speaking at the Closing Ceremony, and awarding medals, Mike encouraged the young Competitors to strive for excellence.

The Canadian Skills Competition was everything it set out to be, a competitive venue for youth in trades and technologies to showcase their talents and an experience for youth, through their senses of smell, touch, feel, sound and sight to perceive these occupations as excellent and rewarding career options.

For more information, please visit: www.skillscanada.com.