Gene Haas Foundation’s Continued Partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada shows commitment to increasing awareness for manufacturing careers
OTTAWA, Ontario, April 15, 2025 – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that brings awareness to the rewarding careers in the skilled trades and technologies to youth, is proud to announce that the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), will support SCNC 2025, in Regina, as a Premier Sponsor. GHF is an organization that supports manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond. Their support will enable SCC to promote the opportunities available in skilled trades and technologies and inspire youth to pursue these career opportunities.
SCNC will be held at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District, in Regina, Saskatchewan, on May 29 and 30, 2025. GHF will be onsite to support competitors and will also host a booth for a Try-A-TradeÒ and Technology activity together with Thomas Skinner, Western Canada’s largest supplier of industrial metalworking equipment and supplies. GHF will also present competitors with medals at the Closing Ceremony.
“Skills/Compétences Canada applauds Gene Haas Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth in skilled trades and technologies. SCNC represents a great opportunity for partners such as GHF to engage with our future’s skilled workforce,” said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada.
The competition will gather labour groups, industry partners, government officials, educators, and youth in Regina. Over 500 students and apprentices will compete in more than 40 skilled trades and technologies.
“We are proud to support Skills/Compétences Canada at the Skills Canada National Competitions. SCNC helps us support Canadian youth and aligns with our goal of introducing them to manufacturing careers,” said Kathy Looman, Director of Education Grants for the Gene Haas Foundation.
Skilled trades play a big role in Canada’s economy. Today, many sectors, including construction, are facing a shortage of skilled workers. There are approximately 257,000 tradespeople who are expected to leave the workforce by 2029. SCNC helps Canada’s future skilled workforce to thrive in their chosen skilled trade or technology.
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 X, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About Gene Haas Foundation
The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community, through grants to such local charities as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Food Share, Rescue Mission, and others. Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees industry wide, the Foundation expanded its mission to include support for manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond. By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the very best CNC training programs in the world, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide. The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community. In 2022, the Gene Haas Foundation provided more than $26 million US dollars in grants bringing the total to over $170,000,000.00 since 2012. For more information, visit: ghaasfoundation.org
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Media Contact: Michèle Rogerson, 613-266-4771, micheler@skillscanada.com.
