By Barett Poley
Winnipeg, Manitoba — April 25, 2017 — Two secondary and two post-secondary students are taking home gold medals after this year’s Skills Canada Manitoba competitions.
In Autobody Repair, Joshua Villegas from Red River College has won gold in the post-secondary category, with Martin Krutsch from Steinbach Regional Secondary School winning in the secondary student’s category.
Amanda Clark from Red River College placed first in the post-secondary category for Car Painting. Charles Raymundo from Maples Collegiate took Car Painting gold for the secondary category.
The four competitions took place at the Notre Dame and Roblin Centre campuses of Red River College in Winnipeg. Students competing in the Autobody Repair and Car Painting events joined more than 475 other secondary and post-secondary students and over 500 volunteers and staff for the annual competition celebrating the skilled trades
Manitoba may be presently experiencing something of a boom in young tradespeople, at least when it comes to the bodyshop industry. While some provinces aren’t able to hold more than one or two competitions, Manitoba was able to hold Autobody Repair and Car Painting competitions for both secondary and post-secondary students.
Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, says that the changes in the industry are hopeful for the young people entering it.
“Given the revolutionary changes in the automotive industry, there is no better time than now to be involved in this exciting industry. Immense opportunities lie ahead, as students will be a part of cutting edge training and work in the years to come,” she says. Speaking directly to students considering careers in the field, she says, “The autobody repair industry will experience many changes in techniques in the coming years; you will have opportunities to become specialists in your field. Your timing could not be better.”
Pacella also notes that the newly flourishing skilled trades sector is important for all Canadians, saying “When young Canadians set a course down a path in skilled trades and technologies, our country’s future flourishes. Diverse occupations, ideas and skill sets are what drive innovation and economic prosperity. People with right skills are what allow Canada to continue to be a global economic leader.”
Please see below for a complete list of medal winners.
Car Painting (Post-Secondary)
– Gold: Amanda Clark — Red River College
– Silver: Noah Kryschuk– Red River College
– Bronze: Noor-Adeen Alfakhori — Red River College
Car Painting (Secondary)
– Gold: Charles Raymundo — Maples Collegiate
– Silver: Mathew Duchene–Steinbach Regional Secondary School
– Bronze: Elaina English — Kildonan East Collegiate
Autobody Repair (Post-Secondary)
– Gold: Joshua Villegas — Red River College
– Silver: Garrett Bohoychuk — Red River Collge
– Bronze: Mark Daley — Red River College
Autobody Repair (Secondary)
– Gold: Martin Krutsch — Steinbach Regional Secondary School
– Silver: David Messerschmidt — Steinbach Regional Secondary School
– Bronze: Jessie Posthumus — Kildonan East Collegiate
Gold medalists at the provincial level may go on to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC). The 2017 SCNC takes place at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 31 to June 3.
