Canadian Armed Forces has joined Skills/Compétences Canada as Premier Sponsor of the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition, in Winnipeg.

OTTAWA, Ontario, April 6, 2023 – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, is proud to announce that the Canadian Armed Forces will continue their support as Premier Sponsor of the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Their generous support will enable SCC to better promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies to students and apprentices in Canada through several events including SCNC Winnipeg 2023, National Skilled Trade and Technology Week and Skills for Success Day.

“The Canadian Armed Forces is pleased to renew their partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada as their events enable us to connect with our country’s future workforce and inform them about the exciting career opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies. This enables us to engage with youth and speak to them about the 100+ exciting careers that are available with us and help them choose the right one for them”, said Captain Jesse Orozco, Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting.

On May 25 and 26, 2023, labour groups, industry partners, government officials, educators, and youth will gather at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, where over 550 students and apprentices will compete in 45 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas. SCC is pleased to be working with the Canadian Armed Forces. Furthermore, approximately 10,000 students from Manitoba are expected to attend SCNC Winnipeg 2023. In addition to watching the competitors, students will have the opportunity to participate in over 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities throughout the two-day event.

“Being involved with the Skills Canada National Competition is a great way for our partners to inform tomorrow’s skilled workforce about the rewarding careers that are available in the skilled trade and technology sectors.Thanks to partners like the Canadian Armed Forces we can host events that highlight the many diverse career pathways in these sectors”, said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer of Skills/Compétences Canada.

According to a recent survey conducted by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, more than 60 percent of their member companies experienced recent economic losses due to skilled staff shortages. This generated approximately 13 billion dollars in financial losses. Overall, twice as many survey respondents reported difficulty finding skilled labour as they did five years earlier.

About Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are consistently ranked among the top 25 employers in Canada. All our members enjoy a range of prestigious full-and part-time career options in fields like skilled trades, healthcare, law, IT and engineering, the possibility of specializing in your career, accelerated responsibilities and faster advancement opportunities than in the civilian world, the chance to travel and work around the world, and a full range of enviable benefits and advantages. The Canadian Forces serve on the sea, on land, and in the air, with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. For more information, visit: forces.ca/bi.

About Skills/Compétences Canada
Skills Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization with member organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade 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 Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trade and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills. Follow Skills/Compétences Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

-30-

 MEDIA CONTACT: Michèle Rogerson, micheler@skillscanada.com, T. 343-883-7545 ext. 509.