Skills Canada Competition held in Cloverdale, B.C.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in partnership with Skills Canada B.C. recently hosted the regional skills competition for the Lower Fraser Valley, at its Cloverdale Campus.

Junior and senior secondary school students competed in a variety of trades and technology competitions, including automotive, carpentry, mechanical CADD and welding. These skills competitions provide opportunities for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested within exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.

The automotive competition medalists are:

Gold: Kevin Dumond

Silver: Ross Travies

Bronze: Gabriel Ducasse

A number of interactive hands-on activities were available, encouraging youth to get engaged and excited about a future in skilled trades or technology.

"Skills Canada gives students an opportunity to demonstrate through competition, their mastery of the practical skills developed in their fields of study," said Henry Reiser, dean, faculty of trades and technology, KPU.

Gold medal winners from the regional skills competition will proceed to the provincials, and ultimately to nationals, which will take place in Vancouver from June 5-8. Winners at the national level will represent Canada in the WorldSkills competition in Germany this summer.

The Skills Canada national competition remains the only national, olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young students and apprentices in the country. 

WorldSkills is an independent, non-political organization that provides cost effective means for international government and industry cooperation in achieving higher standards and status for vocational education and training worldwide. The 42^nd WorldSkills competition will be held in Leipzig, Germany, July 2–7, 2013.