Brandon Vorley, a recent electrical foundations graduate, competes at the annual Provincial Skills Competition
For immediate release
April 18, 2013
KPU automotive, electrical and millwright students participate in the annual Provincial Skills Competition
(Metro Vancouver, BC) – Students enrolled in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) automotive, electrical and millwright programs participated in the annual Provincial Skills Competition in Abbotsford on April 17, 2013.
Chris Bonneville, Derek Layton and Cameron Archer, apprentices from KPU’s millwright department, Kevin Dumond, representing automotive, and Brandon Vorley, a recent electrical foundations graduate, spent the day competing in their trade against other qualified participants from across the province. Derek Layton placed second and Chris Bonneville placed third in the millwright (industrial mechanics) event.
With over 40 events, the competition attracts top students from all sorts of skills including hairdressing, cooking, robotics, computer programming, auto repair, auto body and a number of other trades. Three new events were introduced this year including heavy duty operators, job interviews and public speaking.
“Our mandate at Skills Canada is to feature every skilled trade and technical career that is non- academic,” said Amber Papou, executive director, Skills Canada BC. “This year we had the most ever with 567 competitors and over 4000 spectators.”
Skills competitions provide opportunities for Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested within exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation. A number of interactive hands-on activities were available, encouraging students to get engaged and excited about a future in skilled trades or technology.
Gold medal winners from the Provincials will proceed to the Nationals which will take place in Vancouver from June 5–8, 2013. Started in 1994, the Skills Canada National Competition remains the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young students and apprentices in the country.
Successful competitors from the Nationals will compete in the WorldSkills Competition that takes place every second year. WorldSkills is a free-standing, non-political organization that provides a cost effective means for international government and industry cooperation in achieving higher standards and status for vocational education and training on a worldwide basis. The 42nd WorldSkills Competition will be held in Leipzig, Germany, July 2–7, 2013.
KPU’s faculty of trades and technology offers leading-edge trades and technology programs, including: appliance servicing, automotive service technician, carpentry, CADD technologies, electrical, farrier, masonry, millwright, parts and warehousing, plumbing, public safety communications and welding. For more information please visit: kwantlen.ca/trades.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
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For more information about this event, contact:
Norm Chamberlain
Electrical Instructor
Tel: 604-598-6167
norm.chamberlain@kwantlen.ca
For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Cara Johnson
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.598.6196
cara.johnson@kwantlen.ca