A team of emerging trade and technology professionals from the territories is building momentum from their success at territorial competitions as they head to nationals.
Blake Moulton, the executive director of Skills Canada N.W.T., talked with True North FM recently about the team’s work at the territorial competitions as they set their sights on the Nationals in Regina next week.
Moulton said the Skills Canada N.W.T. team was grateful to everyone who showed up to help make the territorial event last month a big success.
“Countless organizations who’ve worked with us to make each specific competition category possible, from cabinet making with ideal woodwork to cooking and baking, over 20 competition areas were held. So, it was a huge success with over 60 competitors,” explained Moulton
It was a “busy day” but “lots of fun,” exclaimed Moulton. The team put in a ton of work, said Moulton, but it paid off in the end as the competition was a “huge success” at many levels.
The competition brought together the work of diverse local community organizations along with Skills N.W.T., who showed up and helped bring everything together that was needed for the competition.
“It was a lot of work was put in by our staff, countless volunteers. Tons of local organizations that help make it possible,” emphasized Moulton.
The National competition is just around the corner and is taking place in Regina, Saskatchewan and this year. N.W.T. has one of the biggest teams they’ve ever assembled.
“Twenty-two competitors and about 20 what we call delegates, who are made up of coaches, teachers and community partners to help support our competitors,” said Moulton.
This week, Skills Canada N.W.T. posted on their Facebook page a message of congratulations to the competitors from N.W.T. heading to the competition.
“We will be travelling with 22 talented individuals to Regina, Saskatchewan, where they will proudly represent the N.W.T. and showcase their skills in various trade and technology categories. We are so proud of each competitor. It takes courage to compete, and you should all be proud of your achievements!” Skills Canada N.W.T. announced.
The excitement is building for what promises to be a “huge” event.
“The national competition sees over 500 students and post-secondary students from across the country, each in over 50 different outpatient categories.
The event follows their territorial competition format, “just multiplied by a large amount,” explained Moulton.
The event spans two days and is expected to draw a big crowd.
“Thousands of attendees and local students (will be) coming in to check out the action and learn about the different kinds of career paths that folks can pursue within skilled trades technology sectors,” he said.
A driving factor for organizing the event is all about attracting engagement with diverse trades opportunities and emerging technology opportunities.
“At our core with Skills Canada N.W.T. and our partner organizations across the country, what we want to do is engage youth with exploration of the skill trades, technology and technology careers, and make sure that they’re showcased in a fun and engaging way,” explained Moulton.
“Trades and technology careers are fun, they’re rewarding. Lots of different kinds of career paths that you can branch off to,” he added.
The competition brings the excitement and enthusiasm of these career paths together.
“Both the territorial competition in conjunction with the national competition, it’s a celebration of those career paths and also our students’ abilities and different skills in those areas. This event is fun, rewarding, it’s a big celebration of these incredible career paths that they can pursue,” affirmed Moulton.
The Skills Canada National Competition will be held May 29 to 30 at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District.
