Students in Rainbow Schools head to Provincial Skills competition

May 5th to 7th in Waterloo

Ten students from Rainbow Schools will participate in the 19th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition from Monday, May 5th to Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. Students will test their skills in eight events – architectural CAD, auto service technology, carpentry (team), baking, home building (team), small powered equipment, welding and cabinetmaking.

Approximately 100 students vied for a chance to compete at the provincial level through regional skills competitions held in Sudbury and North Bay. The students from Rainbow Schools will join more than 1,500 students from across the province in over 51 skills events being offered during the three-day competition. The Ontario Technological Skills Competition is taking place at RIM Park and Manulife Financial Sportsplex in Waterloo.

The Conference Board of Canada estimates that there will be a shortage of one million workers in the trades and related occupations within 20 years. “Industries that rely on apprenticeships, including construction, transportation, manufacturing and services, have been growing and need new workers,” says Rainbow District School Board Chair Judy Hunda. “The Technological Skills Competition promotes and profiles careers in the skilled trades and technology, making students aware of the wealth of opportunities that exist.”

“Students need to begin thinking about careers at an early age,” says Sofia Gallagher, the Rainbow District School Board’s Curriculum Co-ordinator for Technological Studies and Specialist High Skills Major in Mining. “Linking classroom instruction with real life experiences is a key component of our destination based curriculum.” She adds: “The Technological Skills Competition brings learning to life in a fun and creative way. It also enables us, as educators, to respond to the needs of employers by exposing students to the world of opportunities that await them in the exciting field of trades and technology.”

Chair Hunda congratulated participants in the Ontario Technological Skills Competition and applauded the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) for supporting education in the skilled trades. Students participating in the competition and their teachers have been invited to travel together on a bus funded by OYAP and the Sudbury & Manitoulin Workforce Partnerships Board.

Best wishes to the students from Rainbow Schools competing at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition:

Architectural CADD – Anthony Bozzo, Lasalle Secondary School

Auto Service Technology – Rylan Pilbacka, Lively District Secondary School

Baking – Jessica Kutche, Lockerby Composite School

Cabinetmaking – Lindsey Smith, Lively District Secondary School

Carpentry – Kevin Emiry and Tyler Hobbs, Espanola High School

Home Building – Dan Arnold and Zecharian Linen, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Small Powered Equipment – Andrew Desjardins, Espanola High School

Welding – Tyler Schouten, Espanola High School

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Media Contact:

Sofia Gallagher
Technological Studies and Specialist High Skills Major Co-ordinator
Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308 ext. 8203.