Team Nova Scotia Honoured During Skills Ceremony
Members of Team Nova Scotia were recognized for achievements in a variety of trades and technologies at the Skills Excellence Awards in Halifax, today, Nov. 1.
Minister of Education Karen Casey and Skills Canada-Nova Scotia, presented the group of apprentices, high school and post secondary students with gifts of recognition for their strong showing at the Canadian Skills Competition held in Saskatchewan last June.
Team Nova Scotia won two gold, five silver and nine bronze medals during the national competition, in categories such as autobody repair, baking and architectural computer-aided design.
"These competitions are a fun way to engage and educate our youth about the opportunities that exist in Nova Scotia," said Ms. Casey. "By promoting skilled trades and technology careers to our youth, we are working to ensure the stability of our province's future workforce."
Skills Canada-Nova Scotia created the award to recognize youth who have competed in national and provincial skills competitions that encourage youth to explore a career in skilled trades and technologies.
"The national competition was both hard and rewarding," said Gillian Chalmers, 2006 IT Software Applications silver medalist. "The competitions gave me more confidence in my skills and that has opened the door to many great job opportunities."
With a high demand for skilled tradespeople and technologists across Canada, Skills Canada-Nova Scotia, the Department of Education and other interested groups are reaching out to youth with the message that a career in the skilled trades and technologies sectors comes with respect, opportunity and good wages.
"It is important to show youth that opportunities in skilled trades and technologies exist right here in Nova Scotia," said Susanne Anderson, executive director of Skills Canada-Nova Scotia. "This event highlights the accomplishments of those who have already taken advantage of those opportunities and have achieved great success against some of the best competitors in the country."
More information is available online at http://skillsns.ednet.ns.ca.