It’s that time of year again, where trades students across BC compete locally in the Skilled Trades BC competition.
The annual competition invites students in middle school, high school, and post-secondary to compete in various trades and events. The first stage of the competition is held regionally with winners having an opportunity to compete at the provincial level in Abbotsford. Winners of Provincials then have the opportunity to compete at a national level in Toronto. There is even a world championship held in Shanghai.
“Skills competitions are a fantastic way to showcase the excellent instruction and some of the top notch apprentices that come through Northern Lights College for training. Students who have successfully competed, bring new abilities to the workforce and a competitive edge to their resume. We are very proud of the students who compete and all the hard work they put in to be successful!” Josh Klassen, Trades Program Chair, Fort St. John Campus.
Normally, Northern Lights College hosts the regional skills competition on the Dawson Creek campus at the same time as Try-A-Trade in February. Schools from all over the region bring their students to the campuses to showcase their skills and compete for the top spot. Not only do these competitions allow the students to demonstrate their skills for an audience, it builds the confidence they need for the future.
Esthetics instructor Shawna L’Heureux, explained why she encourages her students to compete in the Skilled Trades competition.
“I feel it’s important because it helps build confidence in the students. This is my fourth year doing [the competition], and every year the students are stressed out about doing it. But they do it, and afterwards they’re like ‘wow! I really did that.”
Building confidence isn’t the only reason the skills competition is important to Shawna.
“It also brings awareness to what we do,” she said. “I think a lot of people just think it’s a lot of fluff, but there’s a lot more to it than that.”
Daniela Sandoval, an esthetics alum, attended the skills competition twice, winning first and second place respectively.
“It was an amazing experience traveling with the other students,” she said. “ I enjoyed the people and I enjoyed the experience.”
This year, the main competition was scheduled for February 11, but with the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge on February 10, the event was cancelled. Instead, individual trades competitions were held throughout the last weeks of February and beginning of March.
The top students nominated to attend the provincials in Abbotsford are:
Alyssa Price – Esthetics
David Wulfhurt – Electrical
Alyssa Price – Esthetics
David Wulfert – Electrical
Luna Lionheart – Cook
Prestin Sorken – Hair
Riley Barke – Welding
Ryan McMahan – Carpentry
The runners up are:
| Trade | Post-Secondary Winners | Dual Credit Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Silver – Alexander Kay Bronze – Micah Sanderson | Gold – Nathan Rempel Silver – Nahum Portnov Bronze – Jackson Lamond |
| Welding | Gold – Rylie Barke Silver – Myles Boyer | Gold – David Myers Silver – Tyson Kimmie Bronze – Morgan Guild |
Ryan Mayoh, NLC Trades Chair/ Skills regional coordinator in Dawson Creek, will be accompanying the students to Abbotsford for the Provincial competition along with School District 59 and 60 will be responsible for accompanying the dual credit winners.
Congratulations to the students and instructors for all their hard work!