Driven. Passionate. Focused. Energized. These are just a few of the adjectives we could use to describe the Skills Canada National Competition 2024 in Quebec City last week, where Canada’s best talent in skilled trades and technologies gathered to compete!
There was a combined total of 554 competitors from each of our Provinces and Territories (48 from Team Saskatchewan), with our team competing in 36 of the 45 skill areas, the electricity was palpable! Adding to the excitement, we had 6,000 students from local schools visiting over the two days of competitions, as well as countless visitors from the public.
The student visitors from schools in Quebec were able to come and learn about the many career choices in the trade and technology sectors. With over 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities taking place, the possibilities were endless!
The number of volunteers that Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC) recruited to make this possible was approximately 440. This included all National Technical Committee members (NTCs), registration help, school trip organizers, safety representatives and so much more! This event could not take place without these wonderful people volunteering their personal time to help all competitors do what they do best!
In addition to volunteers, the SCNC (monetary and in-kind) sponsors make this massive event possible. Sponsors are from every sector, including Government partners, Education partners, Industry and Labour partners.
Skills for Success was highlighted throughout the two days of competition. Competitors and visitors were shown new skills through the theme of reading. This theme was showcased in Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities, signage throughout the venue.
The Skills Showcase highlighted the traditional First Nations, Inuit, and Métis skills and how they relate to the skill trade and technology careers that we promote through our programs. The Inuit students displayed beautiful parka projects which relate to the skill area of Fashion Technology. First Nation artist highlighted the importance of TV and Video production through a video created to tell First Nation stories. See video here
SCC in partnership with UA Canada, were able to support a group of students from Nunavut who participated in the Soaring Skills Program and learned about all the possibilities when you enter into the trade and technology sectors. They were included in activities with the National Alumni Committee and the Skills for Success Youth Assembly through a fun treasure hunt during competition days. A First Nation Elder was onsite to engage with these youth in an Elder Circle to really look at all life’s decisions.
The Empowering Women in Trades booth, sponsored by SCC’s presenting sponsor Cenovus, had Try-A-Trade® activities all hosted by women’s industry representatives. The National Alumni Committee women were present and able to engage with the visitors and tell their story to encourage female youth to consider the trades as a viable career choice.
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were second-to-none with some exciting entertainment provided, including the “Parade of Nations” where each team was announced as they entered the Opening Ceremony. Team Sask made us very proud!!!
- Link to watch Opening Ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuSO8l8HyjM
- Link to watch Closing Ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkgc85WxqfA
Team Saskatchewan was AMAZING! We brought home a total of 11 medals in the following skill areas:
- 5 – Mechanical Engineering CAD PS Gold Jacob Murphy Sask Polytech
- 8 – IT Office Software Applications S Gold Camryn Greve Southeast Cornerstone Schools
- 17 – Web Technologies S Gold Rowan Redekopp Martensville High School
- 40 – Graphic Design Technology PS Gold Jorda Thomas Sask Polytech Regina
- 36 – Car Painting PS Silver Cole Benko Sask Polytech
- 50 – 3D Digital Game Art PS Silver Santiago Gutierrez Rivera Campbell Collegiate
- D1 – Cloud Computing PS Silver Trung Hieu Le – Sask Polytech
- 16 – Electronics PS Bronze Evgeny (Eugene) Kilochek Sask Polytech Moose Jaw
- 23 – Mobile Robotics S Bronze Ethan McKenzie Rossignol High School
- 23 – Mobile Robotics S Bronze Haley Burnouf Rossignol High School
- 36 – Car Painting S Bronze Jack Unger Swift Current Comprehensive High School
- 53 – Outdoor Power & Recreation Equipment S Bronze Jayden Kachur Yorkton Regional High School
Skills Canada Saskatchewan (SCS) is incredibly proud of all of our competitors and look forward to seeing them compete in the future, we hope they will stay involved with SCS and join our alumni and maybe even become a Provincial Technical Committee member.