News Article

CNA Students Shine at National Competition


6/17/2002 4:26:18 PM


Team Newfoundland's winners from left, Micheal Foley, Silver - Architectural Design; Jamie FitzPatrick, Bronze -Principles of Technology; Christine Callahan, Bronze - Job Interview; Hilary Fillier, Silver - Prepared Speech, Wayne Haynes, Bronze - Refrigeration.

June 17, 2002 - College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students Michael Foley and Wayne Haynes have returned victorious from the 8th National Skills Canada Competition in Vancouver held May 30 - June 2.

Haynes came away with the Bronze medal for Refrigeration, and Foley with the Silver for Architectural Design. Both represented the Ridge Road Campus of College of the North Atlantic.

More than 500 of the best and brightest high school and post-secondary students and apprentices from every province and territory in Canada took part in the 38 competitions for the honour of being named the country’s best.

Carole Ann Ryan, Executive Director for Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador says the organization is delighted with both the calibre and attitude of the entire team.

“They have made the province proud with their dedication and skill level,” she says.

Also evident, says Ryan, was the level of government and educational support, as the team was accompanied and cheered on by Minister Sandra Kelly of the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, and by a large contingency from College of the North Atlantic.

“It is exciting to see that the community is supporting our young people in their skilled career choices, and we applaud both the students and all their supporters,” she said.

Students earned a spot on Newfoundland’s Team 2002 by winning one of 33 provincial Skilled Trade and Technology competitions in May. The annual national event is organized by Skills Canada to profile technology and trade-based careers by presenting students with challenging industry-level projects to complete in very tight time frames with the added pressure of scrutiny from some 10,000 observers. Millions of dollars of state-of-the-art equipment and machinery were supplied by industry to ensure that Canadian students are exposed to, and adept in, using equipment that meets industry and international standards.

Skills Canada’s goal is to improve the level of awareness of technology and its impact, encourage excellence in these fields, create opportunities for business to work with students, and improve the image of trades and technologies and the self-esteem of those who pursue them.

Silver medallist Foley had never competed in anything like this before. When he and other classmates were approached by their Architectural Design instructor to compete, they agreed. They first competed within the class group, where three people were chosen for the Provincial competition. Foley won, and represented his class at the Nationals. It was a valuable experience to have under your belt, he says.

“I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I arrived there and saw how organized it was, and how many people were competing,” said Foley.

“I would definitely recommend it.”

Now that he has graduated and is working at Cabot Metals in St. John’s, Foley looks back on the experience as one which gave him further confidence in his abilities. It also showed him the quality of the education he received at College of the North Atlantic.

“I had the chance to experience what they’re doing in similar programs across Canada, and I can tell you that Newfoundland is just as good as any in the country,” said Foley.

"It was great to see that first hand."

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For more information, contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7928 stephen.lee@northatlantic.nf.ca

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7931 tanya.Alexander@northatlantic.nf.ca