2017 Regional Technological Skills Challenge

The future of the skilled trades in Bruce and Grey Counties is very bright! Bluewater District School Board secondary students enrolled in technological education courses, joined other students from across the region on Friday, March 24, 2017 to showcase their talents at the 13th Annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge at various Owen Sound locations. Over 100 students registered to compete in eight categories judged by experts hailing from a diverse range of trades related industries in our area.

Here are the results for Bluewater District School Board students in each challenge:

Automotive
1st – Denver Johnson - John Diefenbaker Senior School
2nd – Lucas Dillman - Grey Highlands Secondary School
3rd – Zachery Sprung - Owen Sound District Secondary School

Carpentry – Team of Two
1st – Dillon Raey & Mark Brillinger – John Diefenbaker Senior School
2nd – Alex Paylor & Brayden Kaufman - John Diefenbaker Senior School
3rd – Ethan Cameron & Kevin Furgal - Bruce Peninsula District School

Culinary
1st – Ryann Worthington - Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Jazmyn Munn - Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – Alexandra Nixon - Peninsula Shores District School

Electrical Wiring
1st – Colton Heipel - Saugeen District Secondary School
2nd – Ashton Nearingburg – Bruce Peninsula District School
3rd – Nolan Marshall - John Diefenbaker Senior School

Hairstyling
1st – Kat Kool - Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Ariel Fletcher - Owen Sound District Secondary School
3rd – Hannah Borland - Owen Sound District Secondary School

Precision Machining
3rd – William DeBoer - Owen Sound District Secondary School

Small Powered Equipment
1st – Declan Mowle - Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Sheldon Becker - John Diefenbaker Senior School

Welding
1st – Tanner Winget - Grey Highlands Secondary School
2nd – Brendan Knights - Grey Highlands Secondary School

Fifteen Bluewater District School Board students will now move on to compete at the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competition in Barrie on April 1, 2017. There are also over 20 additional Bluewater students who have qualified as Direct Entry Competitors for the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Toronto on May 2 and 3, 2017. In 2016, Bluewater students who advanced to the provincial challenge were responsible for winning three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. One of those students also represented Ontario at the national event in New Brunswick where they secured silver.

The Regional Technological Skills Challenge is organized each year by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The organizers wish to thank the many community sponsors, 47 judges and volunteers, as well as the technology teachers in every school who make this event possible. Their overwhelming support allows students from across Bruce and Grey Counties to explore, compete and pursue careers in the skilled trades.