35 of Canada\u2019s brightest skilled trade and technology students will test their talents against competitors from 54 countries at the world\u2019s largest skills competition<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
OTTAWA,\u00a0June 25, 2013\u00a0\/CNW\/ \u2013\u00a0Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada<\/a>, a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades, today announced that WorldSkills Team\u00a0Canada, along with trainers, industry experts and delegates, is making its way to\u00a0Leipzig\u00a0Germany\u00a0this week to participate in the\u00a042nd<\/sup>\u00a0WorldSkills Competition<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technologies training.\u00a0 The biennial international event takes place from\u00a0July 2\u00a0\u2013 7, 2013 in\u00a0Leipzig,\u00a0Germany. The thirty-five members of Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0will compete against more than 900 Competitors from 54 WorldSkills International Member countries\/regions in team and individual competitions for the chance of earning the title of world champion within their skilled trade and technology category.<\/p>\n \u201cPreparing for WorldSkills\u00a0Leipzig\u00a02013 has been an intensive process for the Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0competitors,\u201d saidShaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada. \u201cWith support and encouragement from the Government of\u00a0Canada, industry leaders and educators, these young people are poised to become Canada\u2019s next generation skilled trade and technology workers, and we couldn\u2019t be more proud\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to wish everyone at Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0all the best at the 42nd WorldSkills\u00a0Competition in\u00a0Leipzig, Germany.\u00a0Today\u2019s youth are tomorrow\u2019s workforce, so by investing in skills development for young people, we are helping them contribute to Canada\u2019s long-term growth\u00a0and overall prosperity.\u00a0On behalf of the Government of\u00a0Canada, have a great WorldSkills Competition\u201d declared\u00a0Minister Finley,\u00a0Minister\u00a0of Human Resources and Skills Development.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving supported many Skills\u00a0Canada\u00a0National Competitions and two recent WorldSkills Competitions, I am more than convinced than ever that this competition format is the best way to promote the trades and technology to our youth,\u201d says\u00a0Mike Holmes, Canada\u2019s Most Trusted Contractor and host of HGTVs Holmes Make it Right. \u201cWith our global economic climate as it is, I am prepared to challenge the world to bring these competitions into the spotlight, much the same as top athletic events.\u201d<\/p>\n The WorldSkills Competition is the largest skills competition, jobs and careers event in the world, representing 45 trades; over 2,000 experts, 3 000 volunteers and 200 000 visitors will be participating. The event serves to advance vocational skills education and training worldwide, enabling competitors to network, share best practices and gain invaluable experience and training that they can carry into their careers. Several conferences are held in conjunction with the WorldSkills Competition including the WorldSkills Leaders Forum, where Brazil\u2019s former President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva and\u00a0Mike Holmes, Canada\u2019s Most Trusted Contractor and Official Spokesperson for Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada, will be honored for their dedication to the skills movement around the world.<\/p>\n WorldSkills\u00a0Leipzig\u00a02013 represents Canada\u2019s twelfth participation in WorldSkills, its\u2019 first year of participation was in 1991. This international Competition takes place every two years and brings together the world\u2019s brightest in skilled trades and technology.<\/p>\n WorldSkills Team\u00a0Canada\u00a02013<\/b><\/p>\n WorldSkills Team\u00a0Canada\u00a02013 is made up of 27 male and 8 female competitors from across the country, ranging in age from 17 to 22. The competitors earned the right to be members of WorldSkills Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0by winning local, regional, provincial and national competitions organized by\u00a0Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada<\/a>. As they prepare to compete at WorldSkills, a few members of Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0offered their thoughts:<\/p>\n David Da Costa (Thornhill, ON) \u2013 \u201cI am grateful to have the opportunity to compete at WorldSkills\u00a0Leipzig\u00a02013 and I am proud to be representing\u00a0Canada\u00a0in Mechatronics. This has been my ultimate goal since I started participating in Skills competitions.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Maxime Fortin (Quebec\u00a0City, QC) \u2013 \u201cI cannot wait to compete at WorldSkills\u00a0Leipzig\u00a02013 and I hope to bring back a medal for my country! This is truly a life-changing opportunity for myself and my career.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Marissa Halter\u00a0(North Battleford, SK) \u2013 \u201cI am excited and honoured to be a member of Team\u00a0Canada\u00a0at WorldSkillsLeipzig\u00a02013 and I will give it everything to get myself on that podium and bring back a medal.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n WorldSkills Team\u00a0Canada\u00a02013<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more information about the upcoming WorldSkills International Competition, visit\u00a0www.worldskillsleipzig2013.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n About Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada<\/b><\/p>\n Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada\u00a0was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada\u2019s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada\u00a0offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial\/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in\u00a0Ottawa, Ontario, Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada\u00a0is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information visit the website at\u00a0www.skillscanada.com<\/a>\u00a0or call 877-754-5226.<\/p>\n Follow Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada\u00a0on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Flickr<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image with caption: \u201cWorldSkills Team Canada 2013 (CNW Group\/SKILLS\/COMPETENCES CANADA)\u201d. Image available at:\u00a0http:\/\/photos.newswire.ca\/images\/download\/20130625_C2966_PHOTO_EN_28448.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n SOURCE: SKILLS\/COMPETENCES CANADA<\/p>\n For further information:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note to Editors:<\/b>\n\n
\n Competition<\/b><\/td>\n Description<\/b><\/td>\n TeamCanadaCompetitor<\/b><\/td>\n Prov \/\u00a0\u00a0 Territory<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Autobody Repair<\/td>\n Autobody repairers restore body work damage, ranging from mechanical to cosmetic, mainly caused by road accidents.<\/td>\n Jordy Bartman<\/td>\n Duchess, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Automotive Technology<\/td>\n Automotive technicians are able to understand the important functions of car systems and carry out troubleshooting, maintenance and repair work.<\/td>\n Tyler Kenyon<\/td>\n Millet, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Car Painting<\/td>\n Car painters remove, mark out and replace vehicle body parts, prepare vehicle surfaces, treat the vehicle with protective chemicals, apply prime coats and remove rust.<\/td>\n Tyler Hore<\/td>\n Hinton, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Aircraft Maintenance<\/td>\n An aircraft maintenance technician inspects, services, troubleshoots, removes, installs and repairs aircraft systems.<\/td>\n Dylan Pereira<\/td>\n Winnipeg, Manitoba<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Plumbing and Heating<\/td>\n Plumbers install water, drainage and heating pipes for houses and industrial sites. Their tasks can include gas and compressed air pipe installations.<\/td>\n Jean-S\u00e9bastien Simard<\/td>\n Terrebonne,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electrical Installations<\/td>\n Electrical installers manufacture, maintain and repair electrical equipment for houses, industrial sites and power stations.<\/td>\n David Gagnon<\/td>\n Eastman,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Industrial Control<\/td>\n Industrial controllers install conduits, cables, devices, instruments, automated devices and control centre fittings quickly and safely.<\/td>\n Zachary Hartle<\/td>\n Calgary, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bricklaying<\/td>\n Bricklayers work on commercial and residential projects where they cut and lay brick, stone, glass block or terra cotta to build walls, fireplaces, chimneys and other structures.<\/td>\n Jacob Bell<\/td>\n Winnipeg, Manitoba<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cabinetmaking<\/td>\n A cabinetmaker works with wood to produce furniture, cabinetry and architectural millwork from a variety of natural and manufactured materials.<\/td>\n Dustin Sherrard<\/td>\n Englehart, Ontario<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Joinery<\/td>\n The process of connecting or joining two pieces of wood together through the use of various forms of wood joints.<\/td>\n Bart VanHaaren<\/td>\n Ponoka, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carpentry<\/td>\n Carpenters have expertise in a wide variety of skills that are needed in commercial construction as well as in residential building and structural maintenance.<\/td>\n Cody Malloch<\/td>\n Perth, Ontario<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Landscape Gardening<\/td>\n Landscape gardeners design, develop and apply landscape plans, haul and spread topsoil, care for plants, mow, water, fertilize and trim.<\/td>\n Justin Schipper\u00a0& Jack Vanden Broek<\/td>\n Monarch & Lethbridge, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Refrigeration and Air Conditioning<\/td>\n Refrigeration technicians install components which form the refrigeration system. When your air conditioning stops working, these are the professionals you call.<\/td>\n Michael Scheideman<\/td>\n Grand Prairie, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n IT Software Solutions for Business<\/td>\n Involves various uses of Microsoft Office software (or similar) and graphic programs.<\/td>\n Ingrid Wieler<\/td>\n Steinbach, Manitoba<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Print Media Technology<\/td>\n Offset printers are able to fit printing plates or cylinders on presses, mix the inks that go on them and adjust the color flow to the image.<\/td>\n Marissa Halter<\/td>\n North Battleford, Saskatchewan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Web Design<\/td>\n Web designers use computer programs to produce web pages that include links to other pages, graphic elements, text and photographs.<\/td>\n Jessica Lapointe<\/td>\n Chicoutimi,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n IT Network Systems Administration<\/td>\n Consists of assembling personals computers (PCs) with accessories and network devices for home and business environments.<\/td>\n Jean-Philippe Desbiens<\/td>\n Terrebonne,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mechatronics<\/td>\n Technicians build, maintain, repair and program equipment control systems for the automation industry.<\/td>\n David DaCosta
\n& Zachary Piskun<\/td>\nThornhill & Brampton, Ontario<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mechanical Engineering Design \u2013 CAD<\/td>\n Covers the use of computer-aided design (CAD) technology to produce documentation in manufacturing, including product drawings, paperwork and 3D models.<\/td>\n Denis Godin<\/td>\n Whitehorse, Yukon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n CNC Turning<\/td>\n A process used to produce cylindrical components through metal cutting using computer numerically controlled (CNC) lathes.<\/td>\n Luc Boudreau<\/td>\n Dieppe,\u00a0New Brunswick<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n CNC Milling<\/td>\n Involves cutting metal materials with computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling machines.<\/td>\n Dominic Nadeau<\/td>\n Saint-Pamphile,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Welding<\/td>\n Involves the fusing and separation of materials using a variety of processes.<\/td>\n Nicholas Kitt<\/td>\n Okotoks, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electronics<\/td>\n Involves manufacturing, testing and troubleshooting electronic equipment.<\/td>\n Johnathan Black<\/td>\n Chesley, Ontario<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mobile Robotics<\/td>\n A team competition that requires competitors to assemble, set-up, manage and maintain mechanical systems within a mobile robot.<\/td>\n Jayden Leister
\n&\u00a0Bo Chiasson<\/td>\nYorkton, Saskatchewan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sheet Metal Technology<\/td>\n Sheet metal technologists fabricate and install a wide variety of construction-related items using sheet metal or plastic material components.<\/td>\n Nolan Spak<\/td>\n Morinville, Alberta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fashion Technology<\/td>\n Fashion designers develop and create new clothing and accessory designs, as well as analyze fashion trends, choose the colours and fabrics and work closely with production, marketing and sales departments.<\/td>\n Donna Lu<\/td>\n Vancouver, British Columbia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Graphic Design Technology<\/td>\n Graphic designers research and manage virtual design projects, with a primary focus on electronic media.<\/td>\n Isabelle B\u00e9langer<\/td>\n Saint-C\u00f4me-Lini\u00e8re,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hairdressing<\/td>\n Hairdressers must demonstrate the correct cutting techniques, curling, colouring and barbering with creativity, imagination and technical ability.<\/td>\n Dominique Mercier<\/td>\n L\u2019ancienne-lorette<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Beauty Therapy<\/td>\n A beauty therapist is a specialist in skin care, skin care advice, massage and makeup.<\/td>\n Joanie Arsenault<\/td>\n L\u2019assomption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Confectioner \/ Pastry Cook<\/td>\n Confectioners and pastry cooks create delicious products for all kinds of events, needing artistic flair and talent.<\/td>\n M\u00e9lodie Perez-Mousseau<\/td>\n Lavaltrie,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cooking<\/td>\n A cook is trained to manage commercial kitchens, plan menus and prepare appealing and nutritious meals according to health and safety regulations.<\/td>\n Maxime Fortin<\/td>\n Quebec\u00a0City,Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Restaurant Service<\/td>\n Professional restaurant servers are skilled in serving food and drinks, mixing international drinks and working behind the bar.<\/td>\n Maxime Renaud<\/td>\n Saint-Tite des Caps,\u00a0Quebec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nHigh resolution images of Team Canada Members and video clips are available upon request.<\/p>\n