Belleville, Ontario, February 21, 2014 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce the winners of its multi-trade Skills Loyalist competition, which builds awareness and excitement around career opportunities in skilled trades. Nearly 80 competitors in grades 11 and 12 representing schools from the Hastings and Prince Edward, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic, Kawartha Pine Ridge, and Limestone District School Boards participated in the competition on Thursday, February 20. The students gained first-hand experience with one of six skilled trades categories including automotive, esthetics, carpentry, precision machining, photography and welding.
“By offering this competition at Loyalist, we invite local high school students to explore the various skilled trades career options available to them,” said Loyalist President Maureen Piercy. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the benefits of pursuing a college education and careers in skilled trades.”
Skills Loyalist was funded by Trenval Business Development Corporation. For each of the competition areas, which occurred simultaneously throughout the day, the winners were awarded Loyalist College scholarships in the amounts of $1,000 for first place, $600 for second place, and $400 for third place. A panel of industry experts evaluated students based on their performance, using Skills Canada standards, as well as a short interview.
The Loyalist College Skills Competition winners include:
Automotive (Service Technician)
1. Ben Anthony, Centennial Secondary School
2. Nathan Phillips, Centre Hastings High School
3. Austin Babcock, St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School
Carpentry (two-person)
1. Tom Fitzpatrick and Zachary Bridgewater, Bayside Secondary School
2. Justin Hall and Kori-Lynn Marshall, Bayside Secondary School
3. Kyle van de Valk and James Knell, East Northumberland Secondary School
Carpentry (four-person)
1. Adam DeJong, Russell McKenny, Brad Cook and Cody Tolls, Quinte Secondary School
2. Aaron Burn, Zach Turner, Alex May and Jacob Vandervelde, Centennial Secondary School
3. Kyle Barrie (St. Paul Catholic Secondary School), Liam Kennelly (St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School), Joe Kehoe (Nicholson Catholic College) and Shane Molloy (St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School)
Esthetics
1. Caley Lavoie and Kendra Muir, Trenton High School
2. Nalla Richards, Trenton High School
3. Samantha Donaldson and Heather Phillips, Trenton High School
Photography
1. Cynara Lewis, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
2. Sarah Allen, Centennial Secondary School
3. Brooke Morrow, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
Precision Machining
1. Adam Mumby, East Northumberland Secondary School
2. Iain Hutchison, Bayside Secondary School
3. Erica Darling, Bayside Secondary School
Welding
1. Jacob Hollett, Bayside Secondary School
2. Sterling Hattin, North Hastings High School
3. Cody Cribbett, Quinte Secondary School
Students in grades 11 and 12 from secondary schools across the region also had an opportunity to learn more about the College and career options during the Taste of Science and Health event on February 20. They participated in hands-on sessions instructed by Loyalist faculty and students from the Health and Fitness Promotion, Recreation and Leisure Services and Biosciences programs.
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.
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Contact: Elysia Geen, Social Media Coordinator, Special Projects, Loyalist College, egeen@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2621