Trades apprentices to test their skills in Vancouver competition

VANCOUVER—British Columbians will be able to cheer on post-secondary students and apprentices next summer when the 2022 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) is held in Vancouver.

“The Skills Canada National Competition lets young people from across the country shine,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training, in a press release. “From bricklaying and carpentry to graphic design, computer animation and cooking, this event showcases talent, connects youth with employers and promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies.”

The event is scheduled for the Vancouver Convention Centre where more than 300 competitors from all regions of Canada will participate in 37 skilled trade and technology competitions. The SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country.

“Events like this provide an opportunity for competitors to show off their skills and encourages participants to pursue careers in good-paying, in-demand fields,” said Andrew Mercier, parliamentary secretary for skills training. “As we wrap up a busy Apprenticeship Recognition Month, it is exciting to look ahead to the talent we’ll see in Vancouver this spring.”

Participants will compete in skill areas which represent six sectors: construction, manufacturing and engineering, transportation, information technology, services and employment.

High school students from across the Lower Mainland will be invited to come watch the competition in-person, visit the Indigenous showcase and the many industry exhibitors that will be onsite. They can learn about the various career opportunities in the skills trades and technologies, while trying their hand at the interactive Try-A-Trade and Technology activities.

In support of this hosting opportunity, the province is providing $250,000 to Skills Canada. The national, not-for-profit organization was started in 1989 and has partner organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth.