The Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology, is pleased with the strong showing by Prince Edward Island youth at the Canadian Skills Competition held recently in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Six Prince Edward Island youth won medals, including three gold.
Four of the top finishes were in the Information Technology (IT) and Media sectors, including Josh Bartlett of Keppoch who won gold in graphic design, Patrick McMaster of Charlottetown won gold in IT/PC software applications, and Travis Axworthy of Oyster Bed won gold in IT/PC Network Support. They will represent Canada at the World Skills Competition in Switzerland in June 2003. The fourth strong showing in an IT related discipline was Terry Richardson of Charlottetown who medaled in Computer Assisted Drafting and Drawing (CADD).
Minister Currie says this once again illustrates the quality of the IT workforce in Prince Edward Island.
"We have historically done very well in IT in these competitions, and this year was a tremendous result," said the Minister. "We have known for some time that we have not only a dedicated and loyal workforce, but we also have a very skilled IT and Media workforce in this province. We are finding more and more local companies are recognizing this when adding new employees, as are companies who are exploring Prince Edward Island as a possible expansion location."
Prince Edward Island representatives also won medals in two other disciplines: Janice Lynn Stephens of Montague in Baking and Trienke de Boer of Montague in Restaurant Service.
"This is a remarkable achievement by these young people," said Art Gennis, Executive Director of Skills Canada PEI Inc. "These youth went up against the best from every province and territory across this country and proved that, in fact, they are the best of the best."
This is the third year in a row a Prince Edward Island competitor has won the IT/ PC Network Support competition and second time in a row the winner of the Graphic design and IT/PC Software Application competitions have been from Prince Edward Island.
Skills Canada is a registered charity whose mission is to encourage youth to consider skilled careers as first choice career options.