KELOWNA – Skills Canada British Columbia’s (Skills BC) regional skills competition for Central Okanagan will be held this Friday, March 6, 2015 at Okanagan College in Kelowna.

The competition, one of 13 taking place throughout British Columbia, provides a platform for students from grade 6 to grade 12 to showcase their talents in the skilled trades and technologies. The Industry Training Authority has provided Skills BC with $200,000 to assist with this year’s regional and provincial competitions.

“These competitions celebrate and reward students for the excellence they’ve shown in skilled trades and technology,” says Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna. “They also get young people excited about the numerous career possibilities in the trades, and train them for those jobs of tomorrow.”

“These events are great because they directly involve representatives of industry,” says Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson. “This helps keep training relevant to employers’ needs, and also gives students very constructive feedback directly from experts in the field.”

“Okanagan College is the perfect host for this exhibition of student talents,” says Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country. “With work underway on a new $33 million dollar trades training complex, local students will be able to keep sharpening those skills and exploring the career paths open to them.”

Students in secondary schools compete in a diverse range of skills competitions, while those in the lower grades compete in series of Junior Skills Competitions, designed specifically for their skill level. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the winners, with the majority of gold medal winners qualifying to compete in the annual Provincial Competition, being held this year in Abbotsford on April 15.

“The skills competitions are an important part of Skills BC programming; showcasing the skills of the province’s future workforce in safe, engaging and hands-on environments,” says Amber Papou, Executive Director, Skills Canada BC.

Since 1994, SkillsBC has operated as a provincial not-for-profit organization, working with industry, educators, government and labour to promote rewarding and in-demand skilled trade & technology careers to B.C.’s youth.

To learn more about SkillsBC and the completion, visit www.SkillsCanada.bc.ca.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015