Two students from the Comox Valley will be going to Skills Canada Provincials after clinching gold locally this month.
Caleb Elsasser from G.P. Vanier and Austin Harris from Highland Secondary received gold medals for their efforts in automotive and electronics respectively. The two senior winners will be going to provincials, which will be held in various locations across the province.
In total, 250 competitors jousted in 16 different events from 19 schools in four districts from Campbell River, Powell River, Comox Valley, and Parksville-Qualicum. The event is designed to show off student skills in fields that are in high demand and pay well.
SD 71 Trades and ADST coordinator Steve Claassen said the events also put students’ names out there in the workforce.
“The Skills Canada Competition lets young people from across our schools shine,” said Claassen. “From welding, carpentry – to website design, computer animation and electronics and robotics – this event showcases talent, connects youth with employers, and promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies.”
Other gold medalists from SD 71 were Timothy Sterk, Olie Phillips, Griffin Moquin and Ewen Chowdury of Highland Secondary in the Jr. Skills – VEX IQ Robotics Competition.
As well, Blaze Trickett and Quinn Sanderson-Stickley from Ecole Puntledge Park took home gold in Lego Mindstorm Gearbots competition.
The National Competition will be held in Vancouver May 25 – 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The WorldSkills will be held in Shanghai in the fall.
