Skills Canada
Skills Canada (French: Compétences Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of careers in technology and skilled trades. One of their major initiatives is the annual Skills Canada National Competition. This is an Olympic-style event in which competitors from across the country take part in various skilled trades and technology contests. Each Canadian province and territory has its own chapter of Skills Canada and they hold qualifying provincial competitions in their respective areas to determine their provincial and territorial candidates who will participate at the annual Canadian event. Competitors may participate at either the high-school or post-secondary level. The purpose of Skills Canada is to open the eyes of young people to the world of skilled trades. Canada is experiencing a shortage of skilled labourers, and Skills Canada hopes to fill in that gap. The baby boom generation has reached retirement age and the country is having difficulty retaining workers, adding to the shortage. Competitions are held at the provincial and territorial levels, with the best competitors from each province reaching the national event. Biannually, the top competitors in the country are invited to represent Canada at the WorldSkills competition, an international event hosted by WorldSkills International[1] which is attended by competitors from over 80 member countries and regions.[2]
Competition areas
Areas of competition at the annual Skills Canada National Competition are divided into six sectors. These sectors and competitions are:[3]
Construction Sector
- Electrical Installations
- Architectural Technology & Design
- Brick Masonry
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Automation & Control
- Landscape Gardening
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Sheet Metal Work
- Welding
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Sprinkler Systems
Employment Sector
Technologies
- 2D & 3D Computer Animation
- 3D Digital Game Art
- Electronics
- Graphic Design
- Web Design & Development
- IT Network Systems Administrations
- IT Office Software Applications
- Video Production
- Mechanical CADD
- Architectural Technology & Design
- Photography
Manufacturing Sector
- CNC Machining
- Industrial Mechanic/Millwright
- Mechatronics
- Precision Machining
- Mobile Robotics
- Mechatronics
Services Sector
- Baking
- Cooking
- Hairstyling
- Aesthetics
- Fashion Technology
Transportation Sector
- Aerospace Technology
- Automotive Service
- Autobody Repair
- Car Painting
- Heavy Equipment Service
- Outdoor Power & Recreation Equipment
Competitions
To date, twenty-five Skills Canada National Competitions have been held. In 2020 the event had been scheduled to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia but was cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic.
| Event | City | Province | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 2019 |
| 24 | Edmonton | Alberta | 2018 |
| 23 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 2017 |
| 22 | Moncton | New Brunswick | 2016 |
| 21 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 2015 |
| 20 | Toronto | Ontario | 2014 |
| 19 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 2013 |
| 18 | Edmonton | Alberta | 2012 |
| 17 | Quebec City | Quebec | 2011 |
| 16 | Waterloo | Ontario | 2010 |
| 15 | Charlottetown | Prince Edward Island | 2009 |
| 14 | Calgary | Alberta | 2008 |
| 13 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 2007 |
| 12 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 2006 |
| 11 | Edmonton | Alberta | 2005 |
| 10 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 2004 |
| 9 | Kitchener | Ontario | 2003 |
| 8 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 2002 |
| 7 | Edmonton | Alberta | 2001 |
| 6 | Quebec City | Quebec | 2000 |
| 5 | Kitchener | Ontario | 1999 |
| 4 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 1998 |
| 3 | Red Deer | Alberta | 1997 |
| 2 | Montreal | Quebec | 1996 |
| 1 | Hamilton | Ontario | 1994 |
References
- ^ "WorldSkills". www.worldskills.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ "Member Countries and Regions | WorldSkills". www.worldskills.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ "SCNC 2019 Competition Documents - Skills Competences Canada". Skills Competences Canada. Retrieved 2018-11-07.