Loyalist College takes home gold at 2023 Skills Ontario Competition

Belleville, ON, May 4, 2023  – This week, two Loyalist College students earned top spots at the 2023 provincial Skills Ontario Competition on May 1 and 2 in Toronto. Both competing in the Mechanical CAD category, Manufacturing Engineering Technician student Yale Botly won gold, and Mechatronics student Dylan Ferguson earned silver.

The Skills Ontario Competition is an annual opportunity for students training for careers in the skilled trades and technologies to demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills alongside the province’s top competitors at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels.

With over 60 competition categories ranging from the culinary arts and landscape design to carpentry, robotics and more, over 2,400 students gathered at the Toronto Congress Centre to showcase their talents. Competition tasks test key skills and remain confidential until the challenge begins. This year, nine Loyalist College students demonstrated their expertise across six categories.

Mechanical Computer Aided Design (CAD) uses computer software to create 2D and 3D plans for manufacturing and engineering design across multiple industries. Students in this category competed to design and reverse engineer components for competitive motorsport applications in partnership with FDF Raceshop.

As the provincial gold medalist in Mechanical CAD, Yale has qualified to compete with students from across the country at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition May 25 and 26 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“As advanced manufacturing, skilled trades and technologies continue to drive growth and prosperity in our region, Loyalist is preparing its graduates to excel, lead and make an impact in these essential sectors,” said Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “On behalf of the entire Loyalist College community, our heartfelt congratulations to all the talented students who competed at the Skills Ontario Competition this year. Best of luck to Yale as he progresses to the national competition at the end of the month.”

About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $398.9 million annually to the regional economy – based on a November 2022 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

– 30 –

Contact: 
Hannah Brown
Acting Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com