Six Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) students brought home precious medals from the 22nd annual Skills Canada British Columbia Competition in April.
Brian Probert, Derek Fuller, Paul Protasovitski, Claire MacLean, Dan Strain, and Steven Nagra all placed in their respective disciplines at the annual event, which was held in Abbotsford.
“The regional and provincial skills competitions are a great way for our students and apprentices to not only work to hone their individual skills, but also to meet and compete with other future leaders in their respective industries,” said Brian Haugen, dean in the Faculty of Trades and Technology at KPU.
The annual event involves secondary school students from around B.C. who have won their regional contest competing in one of 25 categories, from plumbing and electrical to architectural CAD (computer assisted design) and welding.
Competition areas are divided into training/grade levels with qualified competitors from post-secondary institutions being chosen by their instructors, and with the majority of the secondary and middle school competitors qualifying through the winning of gold medals at the Regional Competitions.
The gold medalists qualify to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition being held in Moncton, New Brunswick in June.
KPU winners:
Electrical Wiring: Brian Probert, Gold
Electrical Wiring: Derek Fuller, Bronze
Plumbing: Paul Protasovitski, Gold
Landscape Gardening: Claire MacLean, Gold
Landscape Gardening: Dan Strain, Gold
Welding: Steven Nagra Silver
In addition, secondary students attending KPU through the university’s Career Technical Consortium (CTC) or the Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE-IT) program also collected awards.
CTC Partnership winner:
Mechanical CAD: Gurpreet Heir, Sullivan Heights Secondary, Gold
ACE-IT winners:
Masonry: Seumas Bissett, Duchess Park Secondary, Gold
Masonry: Mark Hayduk, Hugh Boyd Secondary, Silver
Masonry: Ostman Cagri Tekbas, Cambie Secondary, Bronze
Masonry: Joel Ransier, Elgin Park Secondary, Bronze
Meanwhile KPU farrier students based at KPU Tech took part in the Alberta Farrier Championships over April 1 and 2. Five current students and many alumni from the KPU farrier program competed, including Cherish Clement, a first level farrier student who won the novice division.
Each competitor competed in three disciplines: front shoes, hind shoes, and trim a pair of feet.
“The competition is about connecting with the farrier community and learning from one another,” said student Joseph Goble.
KPU alumni Levi Geertsema won the advanced novice contest, while Spencer Wall placed third in the intermediate contest. KPU farrier program instructor Marie Leginus placed third in the professional contest.
