Two Conestoga students finished with silver and bronze medals at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition, held May 30 and 31 in Québec City.
Students from across the country competed in Skills Canada 2024, where two Conestoga students secured medals.
Cameron Krause was recognized with a silver in the brick-laying competition, and Jackson Macor finished with a bronze in welding.
Krause and Macor competed with more than 500 students and apprentices from across the country for the title of national champion in more than 40 skill areas.
The national event follows the Skills Ontario Competition, held earlier in May. Conestoga students finished with 10 medals in eight categories. Krause and Macor both were awarded gold medals, advancing to the national competition.
Krause and Macor have competed at the national level before, and Krause advanced to represent Canada at WorldSkills in 2022.
Securing a silver medal pleased Krause.
“I was a hair away from gold, but it was a great competition. I’m very happy with my projects,” Krause said.
Macor was thrilled with his medal on the national stage, crediting his dedication to the trade.
"Winning bronze for welding at the national level wasn't easy. It took lots of hard work and dedication to become one of Canada’s Top 3 welders,” Macor said.
At the weekend event, about 250 medals were awarded to the top competitors in six skilled trade and technology sectors, including: transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, services and employment. The competitors were evaluated based on strict industry standards.
About 6,000 student visitors, industry leaders, government officials and industry celebrities joined the event to watch the competitions and take part in hands-on activities.
The event’s goal is to engage Canadian youth and promote the rewarding and lucrative careers that are available in the skilled trades and technologies. It is the only national multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country.
“The Skills Canada National Competition allows us to engage with our country’s future skilled workforce and inform them of the many opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies. Through interactive activities, they can discover their interests and the great careers that are available to them in these in-demand sectors,” said chief executive officer Shaun Thorson.
Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not‐for‐profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth. Watch videos of the event on the Skills Canada YouTube page.
Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of skilled 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 trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.
Visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship for more information.