Loyalist College Recognizes The Next Generation Of Skilled Trades Workers At Its First Skills Competition Awards Ceremony
Belleville, Ontario, March 5, 2012 – Loyalist College is announcing the winners of its multi-trade Skills Competition, a new event for the College, which builds awareness and excitement around career opportunities in skilled trades. For the 85 competitors in grades 11 and 12 who were representing 13 schools from four District School Boards, the competition on Friday, March 2, in Loyalist’s Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, provided first-hand experience with one of six skilled trades jobs.
“For most of the 120 manufacturing companies in the Quinte region, the biggest challenge is finding skilled workers,” said Bob Forder, Chair of the Quinte Manufacturers Association (QMA), whose members represent over 9,000 jobs. “So, we hope these young competitors will stay and work in the Quinte region after they graduate from post-secondary education, because we need them and from what we’ve seen of their capabilities and dedication, we would welcome them.”
With the combined pressures of an aging population and increasingly sophisticated technology in the workplace, employers are concerned about finding qualified candidates now and in the future. The shortfall of workers is projected to rise to at least 200,000, and to as high as 1.8 million by 2031, according to Dr. Rick Miner’s February 2010 report on Ontario’s Labour Market Future. He anticipates that by 2031, we will need 77% of our workforce to have post-secondary credentials, compared to 60% today.
“Loyalist plays an increasingly important role in preparing the next generation of skilled workers to contribute to and benefit from the employment market,” said Maureen Piercy, President of Loyalist College. “We’re delighted to host the young technologists of the future here in our magnificent Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre.”
The Skills Competition was funded by Trenval Business Development Corporation, supported by local businesses, and promoted by the East Central Ontario Training Board (ECOTB). For each of the seven competitions, 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.
Stuart Wright, Chair Loyalist Board of Governors, Tyler Forbes, Quinte Secodary School – Automotive Service Technician and Tom Malloy, Dean, Schools of Skills Training, Building Sciences, Access, Continuing Education and Bancroft Campus.
Stuart Wright, Chair Loyalist Board of Governors, Danielle Quinn, East Northumberland Secondary School – Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and Tom Malloy, Dean, Schools of Skills Training, Building Sciences, Access, Continuing Education and Bancroft Campus
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“I’m really thankful that I won,” said 19-year old Tyler Forbes whose $1,000 scholarship award will help to cover the cost of his level two Loyalist Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship program next year. “The Competition was fun and it gave young people a chance to try different skills to see if they like them. Having access to the latest equipment allowed them to see what it’s like working in the real world.”
Seventeen-year old East Northumberland Secondary School student Danielle Quinn agreed, “It was a great way to gauge where I’m at right now with learning about the latest Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design.” She will be applying her $1,000 scholarship award towards the Loyalist Architectural Technician/Technology program, starting in September. “Throughout the day, students were focused and eager to complete their tasks and I think they’ve all really proven themselves.”
The Loyalist College Skills Competition winners include:
Aesthetics (2-person)
1.Carry Frost and Alicia Platt, Trenton High School
2.Connor Ferguson and Jenna Verreault, Trenton High School
3.Dej Larmer and Ocean King, St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School
Automotive (Service Technician)
1.Tyler Forbes, Quinte Secondary School
2.Greg Devries, East Northumberland Secondary School
3.Justin Bell, Centennial Secondary School
Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD)
1.Danielle Quinn, East Northumberland Secondary School
Carpentry (2-person)
1.Shawn Peck and Dakota Ruttan, Quinte Secondary School
2.Keith Horsley and Taylor Stykle, East Northumberland Secondary School
3.Josh Sayles and Jennifer Reid, Campbellford District High School
Carpentry (4-person)
1.Ian Brennan, Vince Kennelly, Nathaniel Brennan, and Riley Hemmersbach, St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School
2.Cody Sykes, Devin Partridge, Connor Allore, and Nathan Cozens, East Northumberland Secondary School
3.Jeremiah Doherty, Michael Burfoot, Connor Wells, and Jordan Haggett, Bayside Secondary School
Precision Machining
1.Jacob Yntema, Quinte Secondary School
2.Matthew Kinmond, Bayside Secondary School
3.Cody Leger, Bayside Secondary School
Welding
1.Jeff Chiasson, Quinte Secondary School
2.Jontae Bobb, Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute
3.Case Hart-Maxwell, Bayside Secondary School
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Thank you to the following supporters:
Younger students from secondary schools across the region also had an opportunity to learn more about the College and career options during the Science, Engineering, and Technology Ultimate Pathways (SETUP) event on Friday, March 2nd for 100 grades seven and eight students. They participated in three sessions, chosen from a selection of nine, which were taught by Loyalist staff.
Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Media Relations Specialist, Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536