Back row (L-R): Jack MacPhail, Silver in Electrical Installation; Bensen Doucette, Silver in Electrical Installation; Ivan Jimenez, Bronze in Industrial Control; Peter Ngo, Bronze in Photography; Christler Enab, Gold in Architectural Technology and Design, Ryan Getson, Bronze in Job Search, Phuc Pham, Bronze in 3D Game Art and Design.
Front row (L-R): Sabrina Cloutier, Gold in Aesthetics; Clark Murphy, Silver in Precision Machining; Victor Affonso, Silver in 2D Character Computer Animation; Igor Affonso, Silver in 2D Character Computer.
Team PEI earned 12 medals in 10 competition categories last week at the Skills Canada National Competition held in Quebec City, Quebec.
The Skills Canada PEI team consisted of 36 students and apprentices. Two students won gold medals: Christler Enab a recent graduate of the Architectural Technology and Design program at Holland College, and Sabrina Cloutier, from the Private Institute of Hair Design and Aesthetics, in the Aesthetics competition. Five students earned silver medals: Clark Murphy, an apprentice with TronosJet, in the Precision Machining competition; Victor and Igor Affonso, Bluefield High School, in the 2D Character Computer Animation competition; Jack MacPhail, apprentice with R. Cudmore Electric, in the Electrical Installation competition; and Bensen Doucette, Westisle Composite High School, in the Electrical Installation competition. Four students won bronze: Phuc Pham, Holland College Video Game Art and Animation graduate, in the 3D Game Art competition; Ivan Jimenez, Holland College, in the Industrial Control competition; Peter Ngo, Colonel Gray High School, in the Photography competition; and Ryan Getson, Westisle Composite High School, in the Job Search competition. Sabrina Cloutier also received the RBC Best in Region award.
This year has been the best showing ever for Team PEI in the national event. Along with the incredible medal count, Team PEI saw a record number of female competitors on the team.
The Nationals, which were held at the ExpoCite in Quebec City, drew over 6,000 spectators who watched 500 of Canada’s best skilled trade and technology students and apprentices compete in 45 separate competitions in six different sectors: construction, services, manufacturing, transportation, information technology and employability. The National Skills Competition is the only Olympic style competition that highlights areas of trades and technology and celebrates student excellence in these areas.
“We’re so glad to continue to be able to offer young Islanders the opportunity to partipate in the Skills Canada National Competition,” said Sue LeFort, President of the Skills Canada PEI Board of Directors. “We’re also very pleased to be able to offer several young Island female students the experience of the national event through the Skilled Futures program.”
“Skills Canada provides participants the opportunity to test their skills against the very best in Canada. Our PEI team had a tremendous showing, our best ever. A big congratulations to them and all the staff who supported their efforts,” said Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, President of Holland College.
Natalie Jameson, Minister of Education and Early Years also congratulated Island students.
“Congratulations Team PEI, you did a terrific job representing our province on the national stage! These young people have worked hard at developing their skills and they should be proud of their success. The future of Prince Edward Island is in good hands, and it’s important that we support and celebrate our youth who are pursuing these fields,” she said.
Each year Skills Canada PEI organizes provincial competitions in 36 areas of trades and technology competitions. The winners of these competitions form the P.E.I. delegation for the national event.
The 2024 National Skills Competition takes place in May 2024 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
SCPEI was founded in 1997 as part of a pan-Canadian not‐for‐profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Island youth. For information on Skills Canada PEI programs and competitions visit www.skillscanada.pe.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT
To set up interviews with local winners and participants:
Tawna MacLeod, Executive Director (902) 626-9307
For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Wednesday, June 05, 2024
