Skills /Compétences Canada Welcomes UA Canada as a Premier Sponsor of the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition
Canada’s only national, multi-trade and technology event for young skilled trade and technology students and apprentices takes place May 13-16 in Edmonton
OTTAWA, Ontario — April 11, 2012 – Skills/Compétences Canada, a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, today announced that the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) has signed on as a Premier Sponsor of the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition. UA is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems.
The 2012 Skills Canada National Competition, which takes place May 13-16 in Edmonton Alberta, brings more than 500 competitors representing over 40 trades from all provinces and territories to compete in Canada’s only national, multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young skilled trade and technology students and apprentices.
“Canada’s resource sectors are facing stiff competition as the demand for skilled trade workers continues to grow,” says Shaun Thorson, CEO of Skills Canada. “While the prospects for the industry are promising, the availability of qualified and trained journeypersons and apprentices to fill the growing number of skilled and knowledge-based roles is falling short of industry needs, providing a great opportunity for youth. As Skills/Compétences Canada prepares to host the upcoming Skills Canada National Competition, it welcomes the support of UA as a Premier Sponsor and partner in building the next generation of skilled trade workers.”
“UA Canada is dedicated to building partnerships with industry and organizations like Skills/Compétences Canada to ensure our ongoing success,” says John Telford, Director of Canadian Affairs, UA Canada. “We recognize the impact of current demographic shifts on skilled labour and are taking steps to ensure we are well positioned to continue to provide the most skilled and professional workforce for the piping industry. By sponsoring the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition, we are strengthening our commitment to helping build the skilled workforce of tomorrow.”
“Apprentices are the future of the pipe trades, and we place an extremely high value on the importance of training so that we can continue to meet rigorous standards of service excellence,” says Larry Slaney, Director of Training, UA Canada. “We look forward to speaking with educators, parents and students at the upcoming 2012 Skills Canada National Competition to help raise awareness of the value of apprenticeship programs and the tremendous opportunity it presents for developing a career in skilled trades.”
The Skills Canada National Competition provides an opportunity for students to be tested not only against industry standards, but against their peers from across the nation in their chosen discipline. The event attracts school groups and young career-seekers who can take part in interactive Try-a-Trade® and Technology demonstrations, as well as employers and recruiters, industry associations, labour groups, training institutes and government partners. For more information, visit the Skills Canada National Competition Website at www.skillscanada.com.
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 (@Skills_Canada), Facebook (scc123), YouTube (Skills Canada Official) and Flickr (skills_canada).
Note to Editors:
High resolution images from recent skills competitions, and B-Roll video clips, are available upon request.
Media Contacts:
Caroline McGrath
CMM Communications Group (for Skills/Competences Canada)
416-972-1642
caroline@cmm-communications.com
Annie Levert
UA Canada
613-565-1100
