Skills/Compétences Canada: Provincial and territorial competitions heat up in advance of the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition

OTTAWA, April 5, 2012 /CNW/ - With the 2012 Skills Canada National Competition only 40 days away, competitions are heating up at the regional, provincial and territorial levels. Competitors are vying for placement on Team Canada to participate in the 2013 WorldSkills International Competition in Leipzig, Germany. Following regional, provincial-territorial competitions, the national competition will take place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre from May 14 - 15, 2012.

"While this is a very exciting time for our competitors as they vie for a spot on Team Canada, it is also an exciting time for the skills movement," said Christianne Scholfield, Director of Communications for Skills Canada. "With Canada currently experiencing a shortage of skilled trades and technology workers, the Skills Canada competitions create awareness around the value in pursuing a career in skilled trades."

The annual Skills Canada National Competition brings together more than 500 young people from all regions of Canada to compete in over 40 trade and technology areas. The Competition provides an opportunity for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation. The Competition is open to public and is meant to encourage Canada's youth to pursue careers in skilled trades and technology.

Zack Hartle, a 21-year old from Calgary completing his Journeyman Electrician certificate this summer, is excited to be competing for his fourth year in a row. Zack won first place in last year's provincial competition and placed fourth in the national competition. This year, he has his eyes set on gold.

"Every year I compete, I learn more and am able to broaden my skill level as an electrician," Hartle explains. "I am really excited about this year's competition and the possibility of qualifying for the world competition in Germany."

Zack will be competing in Automation and Control on May 10-11, 2012 at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton.

The Skills Canada National and Provincial Competition is open to parents, students, teachers or anyone interested in learning more about skilled trades and technology on May 10-11 and May 14-15 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. School groups and young career-seekers can take part in interactive Try-a-Trade® demonstrations, as well as visiting with employers and recruiters, industry associations, labour groups, training institutes and government partners. For more information, visit the Skills Canada National Competition Website at www.skillscanada.com.

Provincial-Territorial Skills Canada Competitions

BC - April 18
Alberta - May 10/11
Saskatchewan - March 15/16
Manitoba - April 12
Ontario - April 30/May 1
Quebec - May 3-4
New Brunswick - Varies
Nova Scotia - Varies
P.E.I. - Varies
Newfoundland and Labrador - March 30
Yukon - Varies
N.W.T. - April 17
Nunavut - April 29 

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 trades 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 http://www.skillscompetencescanada.com, or call 877-754-5226.

Follow Skills/Compétences Canada on Twitter (@Skills_Canada), Facebook (scc123), YouTube Skills Canada Official and Flickr (skills_canada).

About Skills Canada Alberta
Skills Canada Alberta (SCA), a member of the national organization Skills/Compétences Canada, 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. Over 650 of Alberta's finest trade and technology students will participate in the 20^th  Annual Provincial Skills Canada Competition, on May 10-11, 2012 at the Edmonton Expo Centre, which the qualifying event for the Skills Canada National Competition, May 14-15, 2012 in Edmonton. Visit SkillsAlberta.com.

Note to Editors:

High resolution images from recent skills competitions, and B-Roll video clips, are available upon request.

Media Contact:
Caroline McGrath
CMM Communications Group (for Skills/Compétences Canada)
[email protected]
416-972-1642