HEADLINES
Skillful Newfoundlanders Win Big
From The Herald - June 26, 2011
Skillful Newfoundlanders Win Big
Team Newfoundland and Labrador Make a Splash at Skills Canada National Competition
By Sarah Jane Sheppard
The 17th Annual Skills Canada National Competition was held in Quebec City recently and the and the 41 member team from Newfoundland and Labrador certainly left a lasting impression. The talented team earned 14 medal in 13 competitions, which was the best performance in Atlantic Canada and among the top medal counts in the country.
Skills Canada is an organization dedicated to encouraging and supporting “a coordinated approach to promoting skilled trades and technologies to youth,” while the goals of the Newfoundland and Labrador team include raising awareness of skilled trades and technologies by bringing youth into a competitive spotlight, improving competencies, self esteem and the achievement level of individuals pursuing careers in the skilled trades and technologies. The group of bright young minds also aims “to educate and encourage young Canadians to develop skills that address labour shortages and support Canada’s economic well-being.”
Stiff Competition
At this year’s competition, which is put off by Skills Canada every year in an effort to profile technology and trade careers, the Newfoundland and Labrador team was up against over 500 high school, post-secondary, and apprenticeship students from every province and territory in more than 40 competitions. And, the major successes the team secured comes down to passion and a helping hand, according to the team’s coordinator, Melissa Halford. “I think we certainly have a passion for this kind of work, and a lot of support for it as well. A lot of the coaches accompanied their students in the nationals, and they were there just to guide them through. There’s pretty strict rules about when the coaches can make contact with the competitors, but when they’re able to, they offer insight and just encouragement in any way they can,” Halford told the press.
Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s gold winners are Emily Butler of Frank Roberts Junior High for TV/video production, Cecil Johnson and Evan Moffatt of Holy Spirit High School for graphic design, Brandon Sullivan of the Prince Philip Drive College of the North Atlantic and Michael Rowe from College of the North Atlantic, Prince Philip Derive for car painting.
The Silver winners are Krista Barry of St. Kevin’s High School for workplace safety, Stephen Barry of Ridge Road College of the North Atlantic for electronics and Justin Bennett for Port au Basques CAN for cabinet making.
Bronze medal winner include Bernie Fitzgerald of Prince Philip Drive CNA for autobody repair, Adam Parsons of Prince Philip Drive CNA for automotive service, Michael McCarthy of Seal Cove CNA for electrical installations, Jenna Kelly of Marystown Central High School for job interview, Joseph Molloy of Carpenters Millwrights College for industrial mechanic/millwright and Marc Burton, Prince Philip Drive CAN, for IT network systems administration.
While the 2011 winners will not get to move on the World Skills competitions, as they only occur every two years, these accomplishments will add significant value to their resumes and overall work experience. Congratulations!
Photo
Competitors, coaches, chaperones and supporters of Skills Canada – Team Newfoundland and Labrador pose for a group shot in Quebec City recently.
