Students demonstrate skills in Quebec City

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This article was published 06/06/2024 (772 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eleven high school students from Brandon showcased their talents at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition held at the Centre de foires d’ExpoCité in Quebec City recently.

The competition provided a forum where young Canadians could gain hands-on work experience in skilled trades and technology careers. About 6,000 student visitors, industry leaders, government officials and industry celebrities attended the event.

Competing against more than 500 students and apprentices from across the country, five of the Brandon students brought home medals — two gold and three silver.

École secondaire Neelin High School Grade 12 student Oliver Sawatsky, who won a gold medal in automobile technology, reflected on his path to success at the national level.

“I started meeting with my teacher early in the mornings, three times a week, from January till the competition in mid-April,” he told the Sun.

Sawatsky’s interest in automobile technology began on his family’s farm, where he worked on equipment with his father.

“The award means a lot to me but even more for Crocus Plains, as it demonstrated the quality of education and training provided there,” he said. “I doubt if I could have reached this level of skill anywhere else.”

Sawatsky and other students in Brandon pursue their vocational option courses at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School.

In addition to his gold medal, Sawatsky was awarded the RBC Best Region Award for Manitoba at the national contest, receiving $1,500 toward his education and future career in the trades.

Looking ahead, Sawatsky, who also won gold at the Skills Manitoba competition recently, plans to stay in Brandon and work at a local engine rebuilding shop, using the skills he learned at Crocus Plains in both his job and hobbies.

He also credited Dave Maguire, a family friend, as a source of inspiration, noting their friendship blossomed when they rewired a car together last winter.

“Maguire’s constant pursuit of knowledge and broadening horizons has been particularly inspiring for me,” he said.

Miguel Manu Tarubal, a Grade 11 student at Vincent Massey High School, brought home a gold medal in architectural technology and design.

Winning the gold was a dream come true for Tarubal, whose passion for architecture began in childhood with drawing bridges and building with Lego.

“This experience has solidified my passion for the field, and I hope to continue developing my skills,” Tarubal said. “Now that I’ve experienced it, I look forward to competing again because it taught me valuable skills like time management, which will be useful in my future career.”

Tarubal, also a gold-medal winner in the same category at the Skills Manitoba competition, plans to pursue architecture at university, inspired by his teacher, Tara Hamilton, who shared her journey in the field.

Crocus Plains High School grade 12 student Mathew Kuszak earned a silver medal in autobody repair.

With a family background in cars, Kuszak said his interest was sparked by restoring a 1978 Kawasaki KT100 dirt bike and that has taken him this far.

“My family is into cars. My dad and grandparents inspired me. I love working on and building things,” he said.

“I was well prepared but unsure about the skill levels of competitors from other provinces, but I put in all my effort and was happy to come away with silver. This medal shows how much I’ve learned and provides a foundation for future improvement.”

His plans include incorporating mechanical engineering into his autobody work and eventually opening his own business.

Alicia Decosse, also from Crocus Plains, secured a silver medal in baking.

She said her dedication is evident, having practised almost every day since 2021.

“I’m going to ACC in September to study culinary arts and hope to earn my Red Seal certification in two years,” Decosse said, crediting her coach, Harold Fischer, for his support and guidance.

Rounding out the medal count, Crocus Plains Grade 12 student Sloane Williams received a silver in mechanical engineering CAD.

Crocus Plains principal Bryce Ridgen praised the students and staff for their hard work and dedication.

“Each of the participants and their teacher supervisors put in a lot of additional hours in preparation for both the provincial contest and the national contest,” he told the Sun in an email. “We will continue to offer a wide variety of vocational programming for students to explore. When students are passionate about what they are learning, that is when they begin to meet their full potential.”

The remarkable achievements of the students at the national competition, he said, highlight the excellence of vocational education in the region, while their hard work, dedication, and passion serve as an inspiration to their peers and underscore the value of skilled trades in shaping successful futures.

Skills Canada chief executive officer Shaun Thorson said the goal of the competition is to engage Canadian youth and promote rewarding careers, adding it is the only national multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country.

“The Skills Canada National Competition allows us to engage with our country’s future skilled workforce and inform them of the many opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies. Through interactive activities, they can discover their interests and the great careers that are available to them in these in-demand sectors,” he said.

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