Ottawa, ON, November 2, 2016 – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC) is proud to launch its 12th National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (NSTTW) to create awareness for students and educators of the incredible career opportunities available in skilled trades and technologies across Canada.
Skills Canada in partnership with Red River College hosted the official launch of NSTTW on November 2nd. Paul Vogt, President and CEO of Red River College along with Sherry Holmes from HGTV’s Holmes Make it Right, John Oates, President of Skills/Compétences Canada and Nina Widmer, SCC alumni and silver medalist in Brick Masonry at the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition officially launched the event with an exciting pallet table building challenge hosted by Princess Auto.
Following the official program, students from Winnipeg area schools participated in many interactive Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities including welding, industrial mechanic millwrights, mechanical engineering, carpentry, workplace safety, plumbing, refrigeration, switch programming, 3-D printing, hairstyling and aesthetics, just to name a few. These activities were hosted by the following educators and SCC partners:
- Lincoln Electric
- CWA Foundation
- Fixturlaser
- Stanley DeWALT
- McCordick, a Bunzl Company
- Princess Auto
- Pivot Point
- Computers for School
- MC College
- Red River College
Skills/Compétences Canada also took the opportunity to announce that the 2017 Skills Canada National Competition will be hosted in Winnipeg from May 31 – June 3 2017, at the RBC Convention Centre. “Careers in the skilled trades and technologies are of vital importance for Canada’s future economic stability and it’s standing in the global marketplace. It is important that Canadian youth are informed about the many interesting and lucrative opportunities that are available to them in these sectors. During National Skilled Trades and Technology week, students from across Canada will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities which highlight these potential careers”, said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer of Skills/Compétences Canada.
“Red River College has an essential role to play in growing our skilled workforce and driving our economy. Organizations like Skills Canada are vitally important because they showcase the countless opportunities that are available to youth and help open new doors to meaningful and rewarding careers,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO, Red River College. “It’s a pleasure to partner with Skills Canada and to host the kick off for the National Skilled Trades and Technology Week right here on our campus.”
During the week, our provincial/territorial member organizations across the country will host a series of events to promote skilled trades and technology activities in Canada. For more information, visit the NSTTW Webpage on the Skills/Compétences Canada Website.
Also highlighted at the event was the importance of working with others, one of the nine Essential Skills identified as fundamental to entering the skilled trades and technology industries. In Canada, about 28% of your earnings is directly related to your Essential Skills, according to the Industry Training Authority of British Columbia. For more information on the nine Essential Skills visit the Essential Skills Webpage.
