Conestoga students were among the competitors at the Virtual Skills Ontario Competition on May 12. The event is the largest skilled trades and technology contest in Canada and offers an opportunity for students from all regions of the province to demonstrate and test skills.
Elementary, secondary and post-secondary students participated in over 50 contests that represented a broad range of skills and careers from the manufacturing, transportation, construction, service and technology sectors. In addition to gold, silver and bronze medals, students competed for monetary awards in select categories.
Traditionally held in person, the competition was adapted this year for a virtual format after a hiatus in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From April 22 to May 7, students competed remotely from appropriate workspaces and were judged via live video feed. Contests were designed to be as close as possible to the in-person competition in terms of difficulty and comprehensiveness and considered the availability of tools and equipment in classrooms, labs and shops across the province. Each contest was recorded and made available to the public at the Virtual Skills Ontario Competition event.
Winners were announced during the virtual closing ceremony, held on May 13. In total, Conestoga students finished with 11 medals and received gold and silver in both the Metal Fabricator Fitter and Brick Masonry categories.
Congratulations to Conestoga’s 2021 Skills Ontario Competition winners:
Gold:
- Mathew Forgues -- Coding
- Justin Gear -- Metal Fabricator Fitter
- Tyson Hergott -- Brick Masonry
- Daniel Kiss -- CNC Machining
- Ryan Lindsay -- Plumbing
- Tylere McKee -- Industrial Mechanic Millwright
- Dongju Son -- Welding
Silver:
- Wesley de Groot -- Architectural Technology and Design
- Rory Galvin -- Metal Fabricator Fitter
- Jack Hodasy -- Brick Masonry
Bronze:
- Asha Hartnell - Automation and Control
Conestoga’s gold medalists in Brick Masonry, CNC Machining, Plumbing and Welding will represent Team Ontario at the Skills Canada Virtual National Competition beginning later this month.
Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of trades and apprenticeship training to serve industry needs and the growing community. Comprehensive programming includes a wide range of programs that provide pathways to employment in skilled trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.
For more information, visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship.