Vancouver, British Columbia — The winners of this year’s Skills Canada National Competition were announced on Saturday, after 350 students across 45 different fields battled it out, both live at the Vancouver Convention Centre and virtually, for a shot at a gold medal.
After a week of fierce competition, national champions were named in automotive fields across various skill levels (secondary, post-secondary, professional) and ranging from autobody repair, automobile technology, car painting and heavy vehicle technology.
Of particular interest to readers of Bodyworx Professional, former cover star and high-profile up-and-coming painter at CSN Black Ace, Dorien Lozeau, came away with a gold medal in the car painting category at the professional level. At the secondary and post-secondary levels, gold medals were awarded to Paras Pundir from Alberta and Theodore Abril from British Columbia respectively.
In the field of autobody repair, Ontario boasted two winners in Abigail King and Ethan Almeida, at the professional and secondary levels respectively. Dorrien Selley from Manitoba claimed the top prize for post-secondary body technicians.
Julien Héroux from Quebec won the gold medal for automobile technology, at the professional level, while Joshua Hartery of Newfoundland and Labrador and Antonio Duarte of Alberta won gold at the post-secondary and secondary level respectively.
Finally, Ontario’s Malcolm Matwijec and Nova Scotia’s Benjamin Abel won gold in the field of heavy vehicle technology, at the professional and post-secondary levels respectively.
“Events like the Skills Canada National Competition encourage Canadian youth to explore and discover skilled trade and technology careers through interactive activities. It also allows us to raise awareness of these important careers to our future workforce,” said Skills/Compétences Canada CEO Shaun Thorson, in a press release.
Next year’s national skills competition is set to be held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Man. from May 25 to 26.
