Over 350 of Saskatchewan's most talented secondary, post-secondary and apprentice students competed in the 13th Annual Skills Canada Saskatchewan event in Moose Jaw; each vying for the opportunity to represent Saskatchewan at the national Skills Canada event in Quebec City in June.
102 medals were handed out at the closing ceremonies on Friday, April 15th. 38 provincial gold medalists will go on to represent Saskatchewan at the national competition.
Students competed in a wide range of skills competitions including: robotics, hairstyling, architectural technology and design, carpentry, precision machining, and autobody repair. Bronze, silver and gold medals were awarded for each competition. Only gold medalists from each competition go on to compete at the national event. Every second year, national champions have the opportunity to go on to compete at the world level.
Two Saskatchewan competitors who won at the national competition last year will represent Canada at the World Skills competition that takes place in London, England in October.
"Each year the competition in Saskatchewan gets tougher - the skill level of our competitors is incredible," said Brenda Bathgate, executive director of Skills Canada Saskatchewan. "It takes a lot of talent, perseverance, practice and excellent instructors to medal at this event."
"Saskatchewan businesses are concerned about the shortage of skilled workers. These students are the future: they're mastering the skills that our businesses need to remain competitive," said Mark Gettle, chair of Skills Canada Saskatchewan board. "Each of the competitors have learned practical skills that will serve them well for their entire careers."
12 Yorkton students medaled at the event:
Gage Bush from Yorkton Regional earned a gold medal in 3D Computer Animation
Nicoli Ochitwa and Jaedon Pellatt from Sacred Heart earned gold medal for Robotics
(Secondary)
Shayne Gold from Yorkton Regional earned a silver medal in Autobody Repair
(Secondary)
Dakota German and Kyle Novak from Sacred Heart earned a silver medal in 3D
Animation
Anthony Fetsch and Brandon Parfitt from Sacred Heart earned a bronze medal in 3D
Animation
Garth Dickey from Yorkton Regional earned a bronze medal in Automotive Service
(Secondary)
Brady Teichroeb from Yorkton Regional earned a bronze medal in Outdoor Power and Recreation Equipment (Secondary)
Riley Markewich and Brady Lang from Sacred Heart earned a bronze medal for TV Video Production (Secondary)
