Thirty-three Conestoga students competed in the annual Skills Ontario Competition at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 6-8. The event is the largest skilled trade and technology competition in Canada and offers an opportunity for students from all regions of the province to demonstrate and test their skills.
Conestoga student Jennifer Norman received a gold medal in the Cabinetmaking category at the 2019 Skills Ontario Competition.
More than 2,400 primary, secondary and post-secondary students participated in over 70 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 and job offers in select categories.
Winners were announced during the closing ceremony, held on May 8. In total, Conestoga students finished with 11 medals and received gold and silver in both the Cabinetmaking and Welding categories. Sean Brown, who placed first in the post-secondary CNC Machining category, was also named the top-ranking college competitor.
During the closing ceremony, Conestoga was named the recipient of the Manufacturing Award in recognition of the college’s dedication to promoting the manufacturing sector based on results at the competition. Thanks to the Gene Haas Foundation, the college was awarded $5,000 to help administer scholarships to students in manufacturing programs.
Congratulations to Conestoga’s 2019 Skills Ontario Competition winners:
Gold:
- Sean Brown - CNC Machining (top-ranking college competitor)
- Mackenzie Carroll - Architectural Technology and Design
- Mathew Forgues - Coding (highest scoring post-secondary competitor in the technology sector)
- Karen Gallego - IT Office Software Solutions
- Jennifer Norman - Cabinetmaking
- Clayton Shaw - Welding
- Calvin Ysinga - Brick Masonry
Silver:
- Kyle Hemming - Metal Fabricating
- Erik Johnstone - Truck and Coach Technician
- Andrew Leong - Cabinetmaking
- Mitchell Mccrady - Welding
Conestoga’s gold medalists are eligible to represent Team Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition, scheduled May 28-29 in Halifax.
Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of trades and apprenticeship training to serve industry needs and our growing community. Comprehensive programming includes a wide range of post-secondary trades programs that provide pathways to employment in skilled trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.
Visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship for more information.