Prince Edward Island high school and post-secondary students who competed in the recent Provincial Skills Canada-PEI competition were awarded medals at a ceremony held this week in Charlottetown. The 250 students showcased their talents in 27 different trades and technologies and were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals by the province’s Education Ministers, Allan Campbell and Doug Currie.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the participants in the Skills Canada PEI competition,” said Doug Currie, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “All competitors represent the future leaders of a vibrant skilled trades industry in PEI. You are great ambassadors for our education system and for our skilled labour force. Best of luck to Team PEI as you represent our Island at the national competition this spring.”
The Skills Canada-PEI competition is a unique event where students test their abilities against their peers in a variety of trade and technology fields such as graphic design, robotics, pipe fitting and baking. Skills Canada-PEI partners with government, labour and educational institutions to raise awareness of the employment opportunities available to youth in trades and technology careers. “Skills Canada-PEI has done a fantastic job promoting careers in trades and technology to high school students,” said Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. “As a result of these competitions, students are recognizing that there are very attractive, well-paying jobs available in trades and technology. This event also helps government meet the challenge of building a highly-skilled workforce.”
The competition is one of several initiatives to introduce trades and technology career paths to students. Career and technical education courses are offered in schools, and the curriculum now includes 22 new or revised programs that meet post secondary and industry standards in automotive, carpentry, culinary arts, drafting/design and welding.
These programs are designed to provide career options for students in formal apprenticeship training, university programs, college programs or entry level positions in the industry.
The 38 gold medalists from the provincial competition will join over 500 students from across Canada at the National Skills Canada competition May 20-23 in Kitchener, Ontario. Winners from the National Skills Canada competition will go on to the biannual WorldSkills competition in London, England in 2011. Charlottetown hosted the 2009 national Skills Canada competition.
For more information about becoming involved in Skills Canada-PEI, contact Josh Silver, Executive Director, by phone at (902) 566-9352 or e-mail at joshs@skillscanada.com.