Local students showed great skill at event

The passion and talent on display the Skills Ontario Competition was inspirational. Competitors demonstrated an incredible level of talent, skill, and safety in their contest performances at the Toronto Congress Centre, May 1 and 2.

On behalf of Skills Ontario, I would like to congratulate students from Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. It’s clear that some of Ontario’s best and brightest young minds have embraced the skilled trades and technologies as first-choice, viable career options for themselves.

Indeed, those who compete at the Skills Ontario Competition are the future of skilled trades and technologies in Ontario. I believe there’s no better way for a young person to jump start their career than by telling future employers they are a bronze, silver, or gold medalist in their field.

Win or lose, the lives of many young competitors and visitors were positively changed forever – from gaining new selfconfidence by pushing their skills to a higher level, to winning a medal, or simply meeting a new mentor and discovering new career opportunities that they didn’t know existed.

I urge readers to join us at the 2018 Skills Ontario Competition. We are always looking for volunteers and partners to get involved, too.

On behalf of the Skills Ontario Board of Directors and Staff, I wish this year’s students a heartfelt congratulations on their achievements, and wish those who are representing Team Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg (May 31 to June 3) the very best of luck – we know they’ll represent Ontario well! May their participation in the Skills Ontario Competition be a springboard to their future career success. Gail Smyth, executive director, Skills Ontario