At the 21st annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), held in Waterloo on May 17-18, Conestoga College enjoyed outstanding success as 18 students earned post-secondary level medals for their knowledge and applied skills in a variety of competition categories. The OTSC is the province's premier showcase of the best and brightest technical students in Ontario - from secondary schools, colleges and apprenticeship training. In its two-day run this year, the OTSC involved more than 1,200 entrants in more than 60 competitions, and attracted nearly 30,000 visitors.
In addition, three of Conestoga's OTSC medalists went on to earn national skills medals at the May 20-23 Canada Skills Competition (CSC), which also took place in Waterloo..
Conestoga's 2010 OTSC performance was the best of any Ontario post-secondary college or institute, resulting in Conestoga receiving its second straight College Award of Distinction. This award goes annually to the outstanding college or institute at the OTSC..
In 19 years of OTSC involvement, Conestoga students have now succeeded in winning a grand total of 213 medals. This year's result consists of five gold, six silver and seven bronze medals. No other Ontario college or institute earned more than twelve at the 2010 OTSC..
Conestoga's winners are as follows:Gold medal winners
- Andrew Elg - precision machining competition;
- Shayna Kingsbury - IT (information technology) office software application;
- Israel Lacombe -- welding;
- Jonathan Sinke -- cabinetmaking;
- Wallace Wong - culinary arts.
Silver medal winners
- Derek Goetz - mechanical computer-aided design and drafting;
- Trevor McLarnon - electronics competition;
- Petro Prymak - brick masonry;
- Matt Rahn - truck and coach mechanic;
- Mark Ryan - architectural technology and design;
- Nhan Vo - restaurant service.
Bronze medal winners
- Richard Andrade - computer numerical control;
- Alexander Bak - heavy equipment service competition;
- Jeff Hepinstall - cabinetmaking;
- Brandon McLachan - CNC (computer numerical control) machining;
- Tim Patrick - website development;
- Jean-Marc Racheter - architectural technology and design;
- David Roberts - electronics.
At the CSC, Jonathan Sinke won another gold medal in cabinetmaking, while national bronze medals went to Israel Lacombe in welding and Wallace Wong in culinary arts.
Skills Canada is a voluntary association of educators, business and industrial leaders, and government representatives which aims to promote the value and importance of technical careers and education to young Canadians.
CONTACT: Liz Stacey, 519-748-5220, ext. 3253, lstacey@conestogac.on.ca