College of the Rockies’ main campus will play host to four skills contests for the Kootenay Region in the Skills Canada British Columbia (Skills BC) competition on Friday, February 19.

The competition is open to individuals under the age of 24 who are not yet at full journeyman status. College of the Rockies will host the Carpentry, Cabinet Making, Welding and Public Speaking skills competitions. Robotics and TV/Video Production competitions will take place at Mount Baker Secondary School.

Skills BC is a non-profit organization that partners with government, educators, private industry and labour to promote and celebrate skilled trades and technologies. With the looming shortage of skilled trades and technology workers in the province, Skills BC looks to encourage students to explore trades and technology career options by providing them with positive and exciting hands-on experiences.

Thirteen regional and one provincial skill competitions take place each year. Winners of the regional competitions will advance to the provincials in Abbotsford in April where they will have the chance of advancing to the National and World Skills competitions.

College of the Rockies’ Regional Transitions Coordinator Brian Conrad says, “The competition serves to celebrate and reward students for their excellence in trade or technology skills and to create an interactive and engaging environment for the many young people who attend the competitions as spectators.”

In an effort to further encourage youth to discover trades there will be school rivalries in Spaghetti Bridge Building, Newspaper Furniture Construction, and Gravity Car Design and Racing. These events will take place in the College’s Piping Trades shop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“These events are part of the provincial initiative to raise awareness of technical trades and of the rewards of these career options. We encourage parents and the public to also come to the college to check out the activities,” notes Conrad.

COTR

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