I work as Program Head at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. I got involved with skills in 2015 when I volunteered at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial Competition. I have been on the Provincial Technical Committee (PTC), the National Technical Committee (NTC) and I have also been an NTC Co-Chair for Computer numerical control (CNC) Machining.

I enjoy volunteering with Skills/Compétences Canada as it gives me the opportunity to promote the skilled trades and the rewarding careers that these can offer. The skills competitions are a great way to promote the CNC Machining trade to the next generation of skilled workers. I got inspired to pursue this trade when I was young and watched a machinist at work.  

CNC Machining combines mental ability with manual skills as machinists have to develop a project from a blueprint. Come to the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), in Winnipeg  to learn more about this trade! Check out this interview with Phil Ursulescu, at SCNC 2019, in Halifax, on Global News, where he describes how to make a customized keychain using a CNC Machine.