Alberta's WorldSkills Competition puts skilled youth, techies to the test
It's hailed as the Olympics of skills, trade and technology; a chance for competitors to showcase their talents as they embark on in-demand careers. The WorldSkills Competition also highlights the opportunities available in everything from auto-body repair and aircraft maintenance to landscape gardening and fashion technology.
"The traditional view of skilled trades is that the jobs are very manual and dirty and involve working with your hands," says Shaun Thorson, executive director of Skills/Competences Canada. "Working with your hands remains a strong element, but technology has definitely made a significant impact on the trades."
Growing interest in the environment, for example, is pushing the creation of a new generation of work, Thorson notes. Turbine manufacturing, home retrofits, solar panel installation, wind farm construction and transit-line building will all create skilled trade jobs.
Events like the WorldSkills Competition, being held in Alberta in September, shine the spotlight on opportunities available in the skilled trades.
For automotive service technician apprentice Dan Van Holst of Waterloo, Ont., competing on the world stage is a welcome opportunity to put his skills to the test.
"The main focus of the competition is to promote skilled trades among youth," says the 21-year-old Conestoga College graduate.
