Sherry Holmes from the TV Series "Holmes Makes it Right" Launches National Skilled Trades and Technology Week

Eleventh National Skilled Trades and Technology Week Kicks Off with Try-A-Trade® and Technology Activities

OTTAWA, Nov. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC) is proud to launch its eleventh National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (NSTTW) to create awareness for students and educators of the incredible career opportunities available in skilled trades and technologies across Canada.

New Brunswick Community College, Moncton campus hosted the launch event on November 3^rd.  Students from Moncton area schools participated in interactive Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities presented by educators and SCC partners such as UA, TransCanada, Stanley/Black & Decker, New Brunswick Community College, Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick and many more. Sherry Holmes from the TV series "Holmes Makes it Right" officially launched the event with a brief Try-A-Trade® and Technology activity amongst dignitaries that were in attendance. The Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities that were hosted during this event included welding, steamfitter-pipefitter, aesthetics, cooking, video programming and development just to name a few. Skills/Compétences Canada also took the opportunity to highlight the fact that the 2016 Skills Canada National Competition will be hosted in Moncton from June 5-8, 2016.

"It is essential for Canadians and in particular students to understand the many diverse career opportunities and the vital role of skilled trades and technology careers in our society," stated Skills/Compétences Canada Chief Executive Officer, Shaun Thorson. "This week of activities highlights a variety of careers in the skilled trades and technologies and is just one of many events hosted by Skills Canada throughout the school year".

A sub-theme of the event was the importance of oral communication (one of the nine Essential Skills) as it refers to many forms of verbal skills fundamental to entering the skilled trades and technology careers. Oral communication skills include listening, speaking, interacting, participating and presenting information. Oral communication is one of the top ten skills requested by Canadian employers, according to a recent study conducted by Workopolis.

During the week, our provincial/territorial offices across the country will host a series of events to promote skilled trades and technology activities in Canada. For more information, visit the NSTTW Webpage on the Skills/Compétences Canada Website.

Careers in the skilled trades and technologies are important for Canada's future economic stability and it's standing in the global marketplace. They also offer an excellent career path for many young Canadians. The goal is to engage business and political leaders into the discussion through raising awareness, and also to highlight for young Canadians looking to enter the workforce that many rewarding, and exciting careers are available in the skilled trades and technology sector.

About Skills Canada
Skills Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization with partner Skills Canada organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills. For more information, visit www.skillscanada.com or call 877-754-5226.

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SOURCE Skills/Compétences Canada

Media Contact: Michèle Rogerson, Telephone: [phone] ext.509, Email: [email protected]