-MEDIA ADVISORY-

Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 24, 2019 – On Tuesday, May 28, Skills/Compétences Canada will host the 25th Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Halifax. During the two days of competition, Canada’s best students and apprentices in skilled trades and technologies will compete with  goal of becoming the national champion in their respective discipline.

WHAT: SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. The event welcomes over 550 competitors participating in over 40 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas, and thousands of visitors. The winners from the national competition will be announced at the Closing Ceremony and participate in the winners circle, where they will pose for an official photo that will be shared on our various social media platforms. The press is invited to join and interview the winning competitors.

WHERE: Halifax Exhibition Centre, 200 Prospect Road, Goodwood, NS B3T 1P2

WHEN: May 27 – 30, 2019

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SCNC Official Launch (Recommended Media Event)

WHAT: Think Outside the Chair! Check out the official launch where the Presenting Sponsors, Skills Canada alumni and special guests will go head-to-head in a camping expedition. Who will build the camp bench the fastest? Cheer on your team and find out if they pass the 20 second sit test. The Official launch will be followed by photo opportunities, Q&A session, interviews and tours of the competition floor. The tour includes introductions to SCC alumni, celebrities, government officials, designated spokespeople, industry experts and key event sponsor representatives.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 28, 2019
8:30 a.m.  Official SCNC Launch – Camping Expedition
9:15 a.m.  Photo ops and interviews with various spokespeople are available.

WHERE: Halifax Exhibition Centre, Essential Skills Stage, The Bowl

WHO: John Oates, Skills/Compétences Canada National Board President; Braeden Willis, SCNC Vancouver 2013 competitor in TV Video Production from Manitoba; Michelle Gilbert, SCNC Winnipeg 2017 competitor in Hairstyling from New Brunswick; Larry Slaney, Director, Canadian Training, UA Canada; Kyle O’Neil, TC Energy; and Gord Bragg, RV Careers, will test their skills in an exciting, fun construction challenge and will officially launch SCNC 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT
Michèle Rogerson
Communications Content Specialist
Skills/Compétences Canada
Email: micheler@skillscanada.com
Tel: 613-266-4771

BACKGROUNDER

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.

About the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC)

SCNC brings together industry, government and education representatives and up to 7,500 student visitors who will participate in over 50 Try-a-Trade® and Technology activities and interactive demonstrations on our Essential Skills Stage.
Through SCNC, Skills/Compétences Canada seeks to raise awareness about the skilled trade and technology sectors to Canadian youth and their influencers. The Skills Canada National Competition also has a significant financial impact on the local economy directly injecting over 2 million dollars.

About WorldSkills

The WorldSkills Team Canada 2019 Selection Event will be taking place during SCNC 2019.The winners in 29 Skill Areas will be announced during the Closing Ceremony and will go on to compete at the 2019 WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia. WorldSkills occurs every two years and is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world, gathering competitors from 80 WorldSkills Member countries and regions.

Media Center Information

Members of the media are welcome to tour the competition floor. Upon request, a SCNC representative can provide guided tours of the competition floor, answer questions and arrange interviews.

Please register at the Media Centre (Ground Floor, Room Prospect 3) upon arrival.

Media Centre hours at the Halifax Exhibition Centre, for the Skills Canada National Competition:
May 27 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 28 and 29 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 30 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Media Centre hours at the Cunard Centre, for Opening and Closing Ceremonies:
May 27 – 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
May 30 – 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Interviews

The following industry celebrities will be available for media interviews on the following dates:
·     Kate Campbell, HGTV Star and Founder of KateBuilds Inc., will be available from May 27 – 30
·     Sebastien Clovis, Renovator and DIY enthusiast, will be available from May 27 – 30
·     Andy Hayes, Celebrity Chef, will be available from May 27 – 30

SCNC 2019 Highlights

·      Over 550 secondary/post-secondary and apprentice competitors from across Canada will compete in over 40 Skill Areas representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation and Service.
·     Over 50 Try-a-Trade®and Technology activities, where career choices are often sparked.
·     Approximately 7,500 student visitors will attend SCNC Halifax 2019.
·     Interactive and entertaining demonstrations by Skills Canada partners on the Essential Skills Stage, where this year’s Essential Skill, Continuous Learning will be highlighted.
·     Essential Skills Forum, bringing educators and industry representatives together to discuss educating youth on the Essential Skills tie-in to skilled trade and technology occupations.
·     Essential Skills Talks featuring celebrities, industry leaders and SCC alumni.
·     The opening ceremony, on May 27, from 7:00 – 8:00m p.m., and the closing ceremony, on May 29, from 12:00 – 2:30 p.m., at the Cunard Centre.
·     VIP networking events attended by corporate sponsors, suppliers, industry partners, educators, labour and government stakeholders.
·     Selection Event for WorldSkills Team Canada 2019. Selected members will represent Canada at the 45thWorldSkills Competition being held in Kazan, Russia.
·      Skills/Compétences Canada National Alumni annual meeting.
·      Skills Canada will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Skills Canada National Competition!
·      Industry celebrity attendance and participation.

For the SCNC 2019 media kits, go to: https://www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/media-resources/.