2019 Skills Canada National Competition

Photo Caption: Halifax saw over 550 student and apprentice competitors from across Canada, including Team Nova Scotia, compete in over 40 Skill Areas representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation and Service.

This year, Nova Scotia had a proud honour of hosting the 25th annual Skills Canada National Competition. This is the first time Halifax has hosted the event since 2006.

7 members of Team Nova Scotia display their winning medals against a brick background.

Halifax saw over 550 student and apprentice competitors from across Canada, including Team Nova Scotia, compete in over 40 Skill Areas representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation and Service. As competitors vied for gold at the national level of competition, the WorldSkills Prospects competed in a selection event for their opportunity to join Team Canada.

HGTV skilled trade celebrities Kate Campbell and Sebastian Clovis participated in the event, and approximately 6,500 student visitors from across the province toured the event, taking part in over 50 Try-a-Trade® and Technology activities, where career choices are often sparked.

At the Closing Ceremonies, Team Canada was announced. Nova Scotia’s, Zach Walsh, along with 28 other young Canadians, will participate in WorldSkills Kazan, Russia. Zach will compete on an international stage in refrigeration and air conditioning, August 22-27, 2019.

Team Nova Scotia won 19 medals in 17 categories: 7 bronze, 7 silver, and 5 gold. Secondary medalists were from the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education, and Strait Regional Centre for Education. Post-secondary medalists were apprentices and students from the Nova Scotia Community College.

“Competitors on Team Nova Scotia have been training with their coaches for weeks in preparation for the SCNC, while our WorldSkills Prospects, Zach Walsh and Michael Gaetz have been training for a year since SCNC 2018 in Edmonton. These youth are so dedicated to their skills, and the results prove how exceptional Nova Scotia’s training is,” says Courtney Gouthro, Executive Director of Skills Canada – Nova Scotia. “With expert-level training and an amazing team experience, some members of Team Nova Scotia now approach the remainder of their education, while others enter Nova Scotia’s workforce, both with confidence, improved skill development, and advocacy.”

MEDALISTS

GOLD:

  • Curtis Pettipas – Electrical Installations (S) – Eastern Shore District High School
  • Tanner Doiron – Carpentry (PS) – Apprentice, Morell Builders Ltd.
  • Kameron Kiley – Sprinkler Systems (PS) – Apprentice, UA Local 56
  • Tristan Barnes – Electronics (PS) – NSCC Ivany Campus
  • Andre Blaauw – Baking (PS) – NSCC Akerley Campus

SILVER:

  • Colin MacDonald – Aerospace Technology (PS) – NSCC Aviation Institute
  • Connor Warren – Welding (PS) – Apprentice, Irving Shipbuilding
  • Laura Lima Nishida & Zoey Russell – 2D Character Computer Animation (S) – Charles P. Allen High School
  • Saffron Keeble-Morris – Photography (S) – Tatamagouche Regional Academy
  • Colton Corkum – CNC Machining (PS) – Apprentice, GN Thermoforming
  • Julia Cormier – Cooking (PS) – NSCC Akerley Campus

BRONZE:

  • Jeffery Chandler – Heavy Vehicle Technology (PS) – NSCC Akerley Campus
  • Diana Davidson & Chad Merret – Landscape Gardening (PS) – Apprentices, Acacia Grove Horticultural Services
  • Sarah James – Hairstyling (PS) – NSCC Burridge Campus
  • Jacob White – Job Search (S) – Halifax West High School
  • Madison Thornhill – Public Speaking (S) – Eastern Shore District High School
  • Megan Phillips – Workplace Safety (S) – Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy