Top skilled trades and technology students win big at Skills Canada B.C.

Skills Canada British Columbia has announced the results of the Skills Canada British Columbia Provincial Competition 2013 including the 49 qualifying first place winners who will be competing at the 19th Skills Canada National Competition.

The provincial competition awarded medals to champions in six skilled trade and technology categories:  transportation, construction, manufacturing, information and technology, service and employment.

The Skills Canada British Columbia Competition is the only Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the province.

More than 550 middle, high school and post-secondary school students from across the province competed in more than 40 trade and technology contests. Interactive Try-A-Trade and Technology demonstrations were held for the public and visiting students providing an opportunity to learn more about skilled trade and technology careers in a direct, hands-on way.

Industry experts, employers, labour groups and technical institutes such as Encana, BC Federation of Labour and BCIT, were also onsite to provide information on career options.

According to WorkBC, British Columbia is expected to become one of Canada’s economic leaders in the years to come with GDP forecasted to grow by over 25 per cent in the next five years. Increased services, from health care to emerging high-tech to trade occupations are the sectors expected to drive most of the economic growth.

“The goal of this Competition is to recognize our brightest skilled trade and technology students for excellence while educating and informing the public on the most in-demand jobs and the fastest growing industry sectors,” said Kelly Betts, president, Skills BC.  “The event is also a key annual initiative of Skills Canada British Columbia, helping raise the profile of careers in skilled trades and technologies for students, businesses and educators.”

The Skills Canada National Competition, will be held June 5-8 at BC Place, Vancouver. The competition provides an opportunity for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting industry standards and to vie to win the honour of being crowned the best in their chosen discipline.