Gene Haas Foundation has renewed their sponsorship as a Premier Sponsor for the next three Skills Canada National Competitions
OTTAWA, Ontario, January 26, 2023 – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies, is proud to announce that the Gene Haas Foundation, an organization that supports manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond, will support the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), in Winnipeg. The Gene Haas Foundation has signed on as a Multi-Year Premier Sponsor for the next three Skills Canada National Competitions.
Their generous support will enable SCC to better promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies to students and apprentices in Canada through this important event. Approximately 10,000 students from Manitoba are expected to attend SCNC Winnipeg 2023.
In addition to watching the competitors, they will have the opportunity to participate in over 50
Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities throughout the two-day event.
“We are very pleased to renew this important partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada to promote careers in the skilled trades to our country’s youth through the Skills Canada National Competition. We look forward to connecting with our future skilled workforce to inform them about the great opportunities that exist in the manufacturing sector,” said Kathy Looman,
Director of Education Grants for the Gene Haas Foundation.
On May 25 and 26, 2023, at the RBC Convention Centre, labour groups, industry partners, government officials, educators, and youth will gather in Winnipeg where over 550 students and apprentices will compete in 45 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas. SCC is pleased to be working with the Gene Haas Foundation for this year’s competition. They are an instrumental partner, and they will be onsite to support several Skill Areas.
“By signing on as a sponsor for the Skills Canada National Competition, partners can engage with our future workforce and showcase the rewarding careers that are available in the skilled trades and technologies. Through our partnership with the Gene Haas Foundation, we are able to raise awareness of careers in manufacturing and the skills needed to be successful,” said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada.
According to Canada’s Manufacturing Magazine, 25% of the manufacturing workforce in Canada will retire by 2030, creating a significant labour shortage in this industry.
About the 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
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 Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Michèle Rogerson, micheler@skillscanada.com, T. 343-883-7545 ext. 509.
