Skilled trades competition testing 'real life' skills
Mac Frey and Kiyran Coulter love to build things and are two of seven students taking part in the Avon Maitland District School Board’s first-ever skilled trades competition.
“I find it satisfying. Just seeing what you’re building, the process. I just find it fun,” said Frey, a Grade 12 student at Listowel District Secondary School.
As part of the competition, two-member carpentry teams are tasked with building a table and bench, from drawings, to assembly, while individual welders craft a metal castle, from conception to completion.
“We haven’t had something like this happen for the students in a long, long time. So, to have these students get that opportunity, to say hey, ‘I can shine in this way here, within our school,’ this is perfect,” said teacher, Tyler Campbell.
Organizers hope this kind of competition will eventually reach the level of importance and prestige as high school sports, like basketball, volleyball, and hockey.
Most high school athletes will ever get paid to play their sport, where all of the skilled trades competitors taking part this week, will have a well-paying job waiting for them at the end of high school.
Students from Avon Maitland District School Board participate in the board’s first skilled trades competition at Listowel District Secondary School on March 6, 2024. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“I’m sure it’s a little intimidating to be in a competition and everyone is standing around watching you, and you are judged on your work. But yeah, at the end of the day, they can say, ‘I can do this,’ and measure my ability against someone else,” said Technology Head Instructor at the school, Marcel Van Leeuwen.
“These are students that this is what they love to do, and this is what they are skilled in,” said Jodi Froud, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Pathways co-ordinator with the Avon Maitland District School Board.
It’s estimated that Ontario is short as many as 300,000 skilled trades people, and that one in five job vacancies will be in the skilled trades by 2025.
“We’re seeing a demand all the time. These are students, right now, really hoping to get those jobs outside of school. They’re looking at other ways they can be more employable,” said Campbell.
Carson Van Fleet may be focused on building a metal castle, but has much larger aspirations once his high school days are behind him.
“I want to do a bit of pipe welding. Maybe own my own company, eventually. We’ll see how it goes,” said the Grade 11 welding student.
Winners from the first Avon Maitland Skills Competition will move onto to Skills Ontario events in London and Toronto next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.