News Article

HALIFAX, NS – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students crossed the stage six times to receive one gold, one silver and four bronze medals during the Canadian Skills and Trades Olympiad closing ceremonies in Halifax last week.

CNA medal winners were; Shawn French (gold in Automotive Technology), Harrison Tilley (silver in Precision Machining), Ty Menchions (bronze in 3D Digital Game Art), Tori Lawless (bronze in Architectural Technology & Design), Steven Adams (bronze in Electrical Installations), and Michael Barrington (bronze in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning).
In addition to showcasing the national competition, the event was also used as a part of the selection process for choosing who will represent Team Canada at the 45th WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia, August 22-27, 2019. Newfoundland and Labrador will be represented by CNA’s Evan Rideout in the Cloud Computing category, and his Computer Systems & Networking instructor (and coach), Richard Spencer, will be Team Canada’s Expert at the event. 

 

“We are extremely proud of all of our competitors. This event was the culmination of thousands of hours of training, studying and dedication; therefore, it’s great to see them rewarded for their efforts”, said Bruce Hollett, CNA’s President and CEO. “It is also very reassuring for our province to have such talented and enthusiastic students making their way in the skilled trades and technology sectors. Many of the participating students are graduating this year, so this has been a valuable experience for them to take into their chosen careers.”

The two-day competition, held May 28-29 at the Halifax Exhibition Centre, was host to 44 competition areas in six specialties: transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, services, and employment.

“Seeing first-hand how our students, and other members of Team NL, excelled at the national level was a great experience,” said Brent Howell, CNA’s Dean of Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades. “The Skills/Competences Canada experience is an eye-opener for many competitors – they’re exposed to high-pressure situations where every minute spent on the competition floor can have any number of possible outcomes and affect their final standing. It’s a great way to prepare for their future in the workforce.”

During the Olympiad, nearly 7,500 students, leaders, government officials, and industry celebrities participated in the on-site activities, which included the Essential Skills Stage, and more than 50 trades and technology stations. Kate Campbell and Sebastian Clovis, stars of HGTV, and Chef Andy Hay, runner-up on MasterChef Canada (season five), were among the celebrities in attendance.

Founded in 1989, Skills/Compétences Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, teachers, unions and governments to promote trades and technology occupations to youth.