35 of Canada’s brightest skilled trade and technology students will test their talents against competitors from 54 countries at the world’s largest skills competition
OTTAWA, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ – Skills/Compétences Canada, a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades, today announced that WorldSkills Team Canada, along with trainers, industry experts and delegates, is making its way to Leipzig Germany this week to participate in the 42nd WorldSkills Competition – the pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technologies training. The biennial international event takes place from July 2 – 7, 2013 in Leipzig, Germany. The thirty-five members of Team Canada will compete against more than 900 Competitors from 54 WorldSkills International Member countries/regions in team and individual competitions for the chance of earning the title of world champion within their skilled trade and technology category.
“Preparing for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 has been an intensive process for the Team Canada competitors,” saidShaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada. “With support and encouragement from the Government of Canada, industry leaders and educators, these young people are poised to become Canada’s next generation skilled trade and technology workers, and we couldn’t be more proud”.
“I would like to wish everyone at Team Canada all the best at the 42nd WorldSkills Competition in Leipzig, Germany. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce, so by investing in skills development for young people, we are helping them contribute to Canada’s long-term growth and overall prosperity. On behalf of the Government of Canada, have a great WorldSkills Competition” declared Minister Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Having supported many Skills Canada National Competitions and two recent WorldSkills Competitions, I am more than convinced than ever that this competition format is the best way to promote the trades and technology to our youth,” says Mike Holmes, Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor and host of HGTVs Holmes Make it Right. “With our global economic climate as it is, I am prepared to challenge the world to bring these competitions into the spotlight, much the same as top athletic events.”
The WorldSkills Competition is the largest skills competition, jobs and careers event in the world, representing 45 trades; over 2,000 experts, 3 000 volunteers and 200 000 visitors will be participating. The event serves to advance vocational skills education and training worldwide, enabling competitors to network, share best practices and gain invaluable experience and training that they can carry into their careers. Several conferences are held in conjunction with the WorldSkills Competition including the WorldSkills Leaders Forum, where Brazil’s former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mike Holmes, Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor and Official Spokesperson for Skills/Compétences Canada, will be honored for their dedication to the skills movement around the world.
WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 represents Canada’s twelfth participation in WorldSkills, its’ first year of participation was in 1991. This international Competition takes place every two years and brings together the world’s brightest in skilled trades and technology.
WorldSkills Team Canada 2013
WorldSkills Team Canada 2013 is made up of 27 male and 8 female competitors from across the country, ranging in age from 17 to 22. The competitors earned the right to be members of WorldSkills Team Canada by winning local, regional, provincial and national competitions organized by Skills/Compétences Canada. As they prepare to compete at WorldSkills, a few members of Team Canada offered their thoughts:
David Da Costa (Thornhill, ON) – “I am grateful to have the opportunity to compete at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 and I am proud to be representing Canada in Mechatronics. This has been my ultimate goal since I started participating in Skills competitions.”
Maxime Fortin (Quebec City, QC) – “I cannot wait to compete at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 and I hope to bring back a medal for my country! This is truly a life-changing opportunity for myself and my career.”
Marissa Halter (North Battleford, SK) – “I am excited and honoured to be a member of Team Canada at WorldSkillsLeipzig 2013 and I will give it everything to get myself on that podium and bring back a medal.”
WorldSkills Team Canada 2013
| Competition | Description | TeamCanadaCompetitor | Prov / Territory |
| Autobody Repair | Autobody repairers restore body work damage, ranging from mechanical to cosmetic, mainly caused by road accidents. | Jordy Bartman | Duchess, Alberta |
| Automotive Technology | Automotive technicians are able to understand the important functions of car systems and carry out troubleshooting, maintenance and repair work. | Tyler Kenyon | Millet, Alberta |
| Car Painting | Car painters remove, mark out and replace vehicle body parts, prepare vehicle surfaces, treat the vehicle with protective chemicals, apply prime coats and remove rust. | Tyler Hore | Hinton, Alberta |
| Aircraft Maintenance | An aircraft maintenance technician inspects, services, troubleshoots, removes, installs and repairs aircraft systems. | Dylan Pereira | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Plumbing and Heating | Plumbers install water, drainage and heating pipes for houses and industrial sites. Their tasks can include gas and compressed air pipe installations. | Jean-Sébastien Simard | Terrebonne,Quebec |
| Electrical Installations | Electrical installers manufacture, maintain and repair electrical equipment for houses, industrial sites and power stations. | David Gagnon | Eastman,Quebec |
| Industrial Control | Industrial controllers install conduits, cables, devices, instruments, automated devices and control centre fittings quickly and safely. | Zachary Hartle | Calgary, Alberta |
| Bricklaying | Bricklayers work on commercial and residential projects where they cut and lay brick, stone, glass block or terra cotta to build walls, fireplaces, chimneys and other structures. | Jacob Bell | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Cabinetmaking | A cabinetmaker works with wood to produce furniture, cabinetry and architectural millwork from a variety of natural and manufactured materials. | Dustin Sherrard | Englehart, Ontario |
| Joinery | The process of connecting or joining two pieces of wood together through the use of various forms of wood joints. | Bart VanHaaren | Ponoka, Alberta |
| Carpentry | Carpenters have expertise in a wide variety of skills that are needed in commercial construction as well as in residential building and structural maintenance. | Cody Malloch | Perth, Ontario |
| Landscape Gardening | Landscape gardeners design, develop and apply landscape plans, haul and spread topsoil, care for plants, mow, water, fertilize and trim. | Justin Schipper & Jack Vanden Broek | Monarch & Lethbridge, Alberta |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Refrigeration technicians install components which form the refrigeration system. When your air conditioning stops working, these are the professionals you call. | Michael Scheideman | Grand Prairie, Alberta |
| IT Software Solutions for Business | Involves various uses of Microsoft Office software (or similar) and graphic programs. | Ingrid Wieler | Steinbach, Manitoba |
| Print Media Technology | Offset printers are able to fit printing plates or cylinders on presses, mix the inks that go on them and adjust the color flow to the image. | Marissa Halter | North Battleford, Saskatchewan |
| Web Design | Web designers use computer programs to produce web pages that include links to other pages, graphic elements, text and photographs. | Jessica Lapointe | Chicoutimi,Quebec |
| IT Network Systems Administration | Consists of assembling personals computers (PCs) with accessories and network devices for home and business environments. | Jean-Philippe Desbiens | Terrebonne,Quebec |
| Mechatronics | Technicians build, maintain, repair and program equipment control systems for the automation industry. | David DaCosta & Zachary Piskun | Thornhill & Brampton, Ontario |
| Mechanical Engineering Design – CAD | Covers the use of computer-aided design (CAD) technology to produce documentation in manufacturing, including product drawings, paperwork and 3D models. | Denis Godin | Whitehorse, Yukon |
| CNC Turning | A process used to produce cylindrical components through metal cutting using computer numerically controlled (CNC) lathes. | Luc Boudreau | Dieppe, New Brunswick |
| CNC Milling | Involves cutting metal materials with computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling machines. | Dominic Nadeau | Saint-Pamphile,Quebec |
| Welding | Involves the fusing and separation of materials using a variety of processes. | Nicholas Kitt | Okotoks, Alberta |
| Electronics | Involves manufacturing, testing and troubleshooting electronic equipment. | Johnathan Black | Chesley, Ontario |
| Mobile Robotics | A team competition that requires competitors to assemble, set-up, manage and maintain mechanical systems within a mobile robot. | Jayden Leister & Bo Chiasson | Yorkton, Saskatchewan |
| Sheet Metal Technology | Sheet metal technologists fabricate and install a wide variety of construction-related items using sheet metal or plastic material components. | Nolan Spak | Morinville, Alberta |
| Fashion Technology | Fashion designers develop and create new clothing and accessory designs, as well as analyze fashion trends, choose the colours and fabrics and work closely with production, marketing and sales departments. | Donna Lu | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Graphic Design Technology | Graphic designers research and manage virtual design projects, with a primary focus on electronic media. | Isabelle Bélanger | Saint-Côme-Linière,Quebec |
| Hairdressing | Hairdressers must demonstrate the correct cutting techniques, curling, colouring and barbering with creativity, imagination and technical ability. | Dominique Mercier | L’ancienne-lorette |
| Beauty Therapy | A beauty therapist is a specialist in skin care, skin care advice, massage and makeup. | Joanie Arsenault | L’assomption |
| Confectioner / Pastry Cook | Confectioners and pastry cooks create delicious products for all kinds of events, needing artistic flair and talent. | Mélodie Perez-Mousseau | Lavaltrie,Quebec |
| Cooking | A cook is trained to manage commercial kitchens, plan menus and prepare appealing and nutritious meals according to health and safety regulations. | Maxime Fortin | Quebec City,Quebec |
| Restaurant Service | Professional restaurant servers are skilled in serving food and drinks, mixing international drinks and working behind the bar. | Maxime Renaud | Saint-Tite des Caps, Quebec |
For more information about the upcoming WorldSkills International Competition, visit www.worldskillsleipzig2013.com.
About Skills/Compétences Canada
Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada’s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information visit the website at www.skillscanada.com or call 877-754-5226.
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Image with caption: “WorldSkills Team Canada 2013 (CNW Group/SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130625_C2966_PHOTO_EN_28448.jpg
SOURCE: SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA
For further information:
Note to Editors:
High resolution images of Team Canada Members and video clips are available upon request.
Media Contacts:
Caroline McGrath CMM Communications Group (for Skills/Compétences Canada)
416 972-1642
caroline@cmm-communications.com
