BY JENNIFER TAYLOR
This month, the Abbotsford Trade and Exhibition Centre hosts the 30th annual Skills Canada BC Trades and Technology Provincial Competition, featuring gold medal winners from regional competitions that took place from February to April. Skilled trades and technology careers are essential, encompassing a wide variety of occupations from plumbing, carpentry and landscaping to baking, fashion, aesthetics, graphic design, web design and more.
Skills Canada BC (SCBC), a provincial organization, engages regional and provincial outreach celebrating the brightest minds and newest ideas in these dynamic fields. Gold medal winners of these provincials advance to national level competition, held in Quebec City next month. “World Skills” are held every two years with 2024 taking place in Leon, France in September.
According to SCBC, our province will require one million skilled workers to fill retirement vacancies and support B.C.’s projected growth over the next ten years. SCBC addresses this skills shortage by engaging thousands of youth in the showcasing of careers in skilled trades and technologies.
Shoshawna Blair, Social Media & Program Coordinator for SCBC was, herself, a participant, “As a Skills Canada B.C. Alumni, I can attest to what an amazing experience this is. The opportunities are endless! Youth can connect with local tradespeople at the Pathways to Careers showcase booths and discover a passion for a career previously unexplored, or thrive under the pressure of competition imagined. It’s an event full of pride, hard work and work and passion. A day to remember!” This year, as the landscape of skilled trades and technologies evolves, so do highlights. 2D and 3D computer the opportunities that the competition animation are on the docket, as are web design, robotics and photography. Familiar skills such as autobody repair, carpentry and culinary arts will be bring their skills to competition while showcased, challenging youth to fostering collaboration and growth in their industries. An annual favorite, the Junior Skills competitions invite younger competitors to challenge themselves through fun projects including sumo robots, wind turbines, spaghetti bridge and potential energy vehicles.
This year’s event takes place Wednesday April 17th, with competitions beginning at 8:00am. Expected to attract over 650 competitors in addition to thousands of spectators and supporters, admission is free to the public, with school field trips welcome and encouraged. The excitement lasts through to the 5:30pm medal ceremony. Visitwww.skillscanada.bc.ca for more information.
In addition to the annual skills competitions, SCBC offers no-cost career exploration programs for K-12 and post-secondary school students in communities across British Columbia. Speak to your teacher about opportunities to bring SCBC to your child’s classroom.