College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students stood on the national podium at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto, Ontario, earning five medals and cementing the college's reputation as one of Canada's premier institutions for skilled trades and technology training.
The Skills Canada National Competition brought together over 500 students and apprentices from across the country to compete in more than 40 skilled trade and technology areas. Competing as members of Team Newfoundland and Labrador, CNA's competitors delivered outstanding performances on both days of competition.
Leading the way were two gold medalists. Claire Cooper took top honours in Hairstyling, and Devin Owens claimed gold in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning for the second consecutive year, a performance strong enough to also earn him the RBC Best in Region Award. This prestigious award recognizes him as the top competitor in his skill area in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Joining them on the podium were Anthony Pascu, who earned silver in Architectural Technology and Design; Matthew Blagdon, who claimed silver in Autobody Repair; and Nathan Cooney, who brought home bronze in Cloud Computing.
Pictured are, back row, from left: Anthony Pascu, Matthew Blagdon, Claire Cooper; front row, from left: Devin Owens, Nathan Cooney.
"What these students have accomplished is extraordinary," said Elizabeth Winney, President & CEO of College of the North Atlantic. "To compete against the best students and apprentices in the country and come home with five medals is a testament to their talent, their dedication, and the quality of the training they receive here at CNA. We could not be more proud of each and every one of them."
For Brent Howell, Dean of Natural Resources & Industrial Trades, the results reflect something larger than individual achievement.
"These students represented this province, this college, and skilled trades professions at the highest level in Canada," Howell said. "Results like these remind us of the incredible talent we have in Newfoundland and Labrador, and of how much our students can accomplish when they are given the opportunity to compete. We are proud of them, and we are proud of the coaches, instructors, and programs that helped get them here."
Instructor Joan White is one of the many CNA employees celebrating. For the second consecutive year, a student from her hairstyling class at Gander campus has claimed the gold medal nationally.
"Winning gold at Skills Canada Nationals two years in a row reflects the partnership between motivated students and a supportive learning environment," she said, adding it's the students' dedication, discipline, and willingness to put in extra hours beyond the classroom that lead to the national podium. "Here at Gander campus, we’re fortunate to have a strong culture of hands-on learning and close collaboration between instructor and students. We provide more individualized coaching and mentorship, which helps students develop both their technical skills and their confidence. We also place a strong emphasis on industry standards and real-world problem solving, so students are constantly challenged to perform at a high level."
CNA also extends its congratulations to every member of Team Newfoundland and Labrador, including several who earned medals at the national competition: Michael Hiscock, who claimed bronze in Plumbing; Kelsey Fifield, who earned silver in Public Speaking; Jayden Choi, who took silver in IT Office Software; and Jaime Coombs, who earned bronze in Industrial Mechanics.
The Skills Canada National Competition is the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young students and apprentices in the country. For students, it represents the pinnacle of skilled trades competition in Canada.
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Media Contact
Ryan Crocker
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ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca