It was a proud day for the future of local skilled trades on Friday, March 22nd, 2019 as approximately 115 secondary students from Bruce and Grey Counties attended the 15th Annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge. Coordinated by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), eight competitions took place between the locations of Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus and Owen Sound District Secondary School. Industry judges were once again on hand to evaluate the competitors according to industry standards, while a large complement of dedicated teacher/coaches also accompanied their students to lend support and participate in a tour of Owen Sound’s Hobart Canada site.

Here are the top three finalists from each of the competition categories:

Automotive
1st – Blain Reynolds, Georgian Bay Community School
2nd – Lyan Blankers, John Diefenbaker Senior School
3rd – Josh Steip, John Diefenbaker Senior School

Carpentry – Team of Two
1st – Shayne McCarthy and Travis Leschied, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Caleb Stewardson and Cheyanne Woods, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd - Quinton Armitage and Carter Swanson, Georgian Bay Community School

Culinary
1st – Cayley Krieg, Peninsula Shores District School
2nd – Jazmyn Munn, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – Dakota Poitras, Walkerton District Community School

Electrical
1st – Ashton Nearingburg, Bruce Peninsula District School
2nd – Sam Leggett, Kincardine District Secondary School
3rd – Luke Richardson, Kincardine District Secondary School

Hairstyling
1st – Aly Airdrie, Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Ashleigh Fleming, Owen Sound District Secondary School
3rd – Kaydee Byers, Owen Sound District Secondary School

Outdoor Powered Equipment
1st – Robert McGregor, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Andrew Harding, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – John Brillinger, John Diefenbaker Senior School

Precision Machining
1st – Jeremy Elbert, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – Ben Elbert, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Ethan Huizinga, Owen Sound District Secondary School

Welding
1st – Andrew Rourke, Owen Sound District Secondary School
2nd – Kody Schnurr, Sacred Heart High School
3rd – Blair Mackey, Georgian Bay Community School

Congratulations to all the competitors on another exceptional year! As a result of this year’s event, six Bluewater District School Board students are advancing to compete at the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions in Barrie on April 6. Additionally, seven students are advancing to join 29 others from Bluewater District School Board who have already been directly entered to compete at the Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto on May 7. This could mean a Bluewater team of more than 40 students competing provincially this year!

Bluewater District School Board students continue to excel in skilled trades challenges at the regional, provincial, and national levels. Over the past four years, students who advanced to the provincial level have been responsible for securing eight gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. Nationally, students have garnered two gold, one silver, and one bronze over the same period.

Thanks on behalf of OYAP are extended to the teacher/coaches, judges, sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose support and contributions are critical to the success of the Regional Technological Skills Challenge. Countless students continue to benefit from the hands on experiences and mentorship that are integral to this event, and which serve to prepare them for apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades.

source: media release, BWDSB