Conestoga news

June 3, 2015 4:50 AM

Conestoga students win at national skills competition

Conestoga students Benjamin Lorantfy and Christina Loder both won medals at Canada’s 21st National Skills Competition held May 27-30 in Saskatoon.

Lorantfy, a Software Engineering Technology student, won gold for web site development and Loder, a Business Administration student, took home a bronze medal in software solutions for business. Competitors are evaluated by independent judges from a cross-section of sectors that demand skilled workers. The judges’ decisions are based on industry standards.

The annual skills competition, held this year in Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park Grandstand, is the only multi-trade and multi-technology competition for young students and apprentices in the country, drawing more than 500 competitors from every province and territory, as well as thousands of spectators.

The competition features over 40 skilled trade competitions ranging from carpentry and mobile robotics to welding, aircraft maintenance and fashion design. Medal winners have the distinction of being named the nation’s best in their chosen field.

“To those who return home with gold, silver and bronze in your hands, we salute you for your perseverance and congratulate you on your win,” said Shaun Thorson, CEO of Skills Canada during the closing ceremony. “We applaud all the competitors who walked through the doors on that first day of competition. You demonstrated tremendous pride in your craft and in your ability and you showed unbreakable determination to be the best you can be.”

Also at the closing ceremony was the Honourable Pierre Poilièvre, Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada.

“While touring the competition floor, I met some incredibly talented young Canadians,” said Minister Poilièvre. “They represent some of the best this country has produced in skilled trades and technologies, and they represent our potential as a country. These tradespeople confirm why we continue to invest in apprenticeships and skills training.”