Skills Canada Delivers on its Commitment to Advancing Skilled Trade Education

National Competition sponsor Stanley Black & Decker donates a collection of tools to support skilled trade programs within Alberta schools

OTTAWA, May 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Skills/Compétences Canada, Skills Canada Alberta and Stanley Black & Decker today announced the donation of a collection of Stanley and DEWALT tools used at the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition to five schools in Alberta. This donation provides students and educators with industry-leading tools that will help ensure that classroom training is relevant to the needs of employers that service Canada's skilled trades industries. Recipients will receive a package of Stanley & DEWALT tools such as cordless power tools, miter saws, scroll saws, and accessories valued at up to $10,000 for use in their Career and Technology Studies (CTS) labs.

"Stanley Black & Decker is proud to be involved with the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition. Our presentation of professional tool collections from Stanley and DEWALT will give students at five Alberta schools the advantage of transferring classroom knowledge to hands-on experience," says Jocelyn Stephen, Brand Manager, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (Canada CDIY).  "We believe that helping young Canadians develop the skills necessary for successful careers ultimately benefits all of us by ensuring our country will have the strong, skilled workforce it needs going forward."

This donation builds upon other provincial and national initiatives being spearheaded by Skills/Compétences Canada and Skills Canada Alberta to help schools continue to deliver hands-on training and education programs that prepare students for careers in the skilled trades.

"Employers in Alberta, specifically in the energy sector, are in dire need of talented, young workers," said Chris Browton, Executive Director of Skills Alberta. "We hope that donations like these support students interested in skilled trades across Alberta and we can continue to attract more youth to successful careers in skilled trade and technology areas."

This year, more than 650 students from across Alberta participated in the Provincial Skills Alberta Competition, which took place May 10-11^th. 61 winners from Alberta proceeded to the Skills Canada National Competition and 11 will be representing Alberta on Team Canada for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, the largest event of its kind and considered the pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technologies training

The Skills Canada National Competition, which took place May 14-15^th at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton City, Alberta, recognized Canada's top champions in six skilled trade and technology categories: transportation, construction, manufacturing, information and technology, service and employment.

Recipients of the 2012 Skills Canada- Stanley hand tools and DEWALT power tools and accessories:

Cardinal Leger Junior High School - Edmonton
Foothills Composite High School - Okotoks
JA Williams High School - Lac La Biche
Lloydminster Comprehensive High School - Lloydminster
St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School- Red Deer

About Skills Canada Alberta

Skills Canada Alberta (SCA) brings together Alberta's industry, labour, education and government leaders to equip young minds with the opportunity and resources to pursue trade and technology careers. Through SCA, Alberta students participate in regional, provincial, national and international skills competitions, and experiential Try-A-Trade® programs.

About Skills/Compétences Canada

Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works 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 and aspiring apprentices discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences 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 trade awareness programs. Many programs highlight digital and essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today.  Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information about Skills/Compétences Canada visit www.skillscanada.com, or call 877-754-5226.

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Image with caption: "Competitors tools at Skills Canada National Competition provided by DeWalt to be donated to Alberta schools (CNW Group/SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120529_C3470_PHOTO_EN_14294.jpg

Media Contact:

Caroline McGrath
CMM Communications Group (for Skills Canada)
[email protected]
416-972-1642