VANCOUVER, June 9, 2013 /CNW/ – (SKILLS CANADA NATIONAL COMPETITION 2013) – Canada’s best and brightest skilled trade and technology students received official recognition for their outstanding performance asSkills/Compétences Canada announced the results of the 2013 Skills Canada National Competition. The Closing Ceremony held yesterday at the Pacific National Exhibition, in Vancouver, was highlighted by the announcement of the Competition winners.
The Skills Canada National Competition is the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country. The event took place June 6th and 7th at BC Place inVancouver, British Columbia where over forty different assigned projects were showcased in major skilled trade and technology categories. The competitors were evaluated by independent judges from the respective industry sectors, who based their decisions on industry standards and established work practices, including such criteria as quality of work, safety, cleanliness, skill level and creativity.
Over 200 medals were awarded to the top champions in six skilled trade and technology categories: transportation, construction, manufacturing, information and technology, service and employment. Click here for the complete results or visit the Skills Canada website at www.skillscanada.com.
“The goal of this annual Competition is to reward students for excellence in the skilled trades, while directly involving industry leaders and educators in the training process and in evaluating their performance in a way that is relevant to employers’ needs,” said Shaun Thorson, CEO, Skills/Compétences Canada. “The enthusiasm and hard work shown by the competitors throughout the Competition has been inspiring and we want to congratulate each one. We also want to thank and acknowledge the ongoing support from the Government of Canada, sponsors and organizers for working with us to ensure that there is a bright future for Canada’s skilled trade and technology workforce.”
Mike Holmes, Skills⁄Compétences Canada’s Official Spokesperson and Mag Ruffman, Canada’s Toolgirl, had active roles in the Competition, taking part in several activities alongside the 7500 students from local schools. Visiting students and school groups also had the opportunity to take part in over 40 Try-A-Trade ® and Technology! activities ranging from planting a strawberry plant in landscape gardening to participating in a spark plug challenge in Outdoor Power & Recreation Equipment to making fondant animals in Baking.
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. 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 and aspiring apprentices discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades 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. Many programs highlight digital and essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information about Skills/Compétences Canada visit www.skillscanada.com, or call 877-754-5226.
Follow Skills/Compétences Canada on Twitter (follow hashtag #SCCvancouver2013), Facebook, YouTube andFlickr. Click here to watch the live feed of the Closing Ceremony.
Image with caption: “Nicolas Bérubé of Quebec, Lucas Salomons of Alberta, and Catherine Elizabeth of Ontario win Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively in the Secondary level of the Car Painting trade at the Skills Canada National Competition. (CNW Group/SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA)”. Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130609_C6586_PHOTO_EN_27790.jpg
Image with caption: “Official Skills Canada spokesperson Mike Holmes takes the stage during the Closing Ceremonies of the Skills Canada National Competition. (CNW Group/SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130609_C6586_PHOTO_EN_27792.jpg
SOURCE: SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA
For further information:
Note to Editors
High resolution photography from the Competition is available on Flickr
Media Contacts
Caroline McGrath
CMM Communications Group (for Skills⁄Compétences Canada)
Tel: 416 972-1642
caroline@cmm-communications.com
