Camosun hosts annual South Island skills competition for local high school students March 1, 2013 at Interurban campus

Over 1,600 secondary and middle school students will experience competition and fun this Friday, March 1 at Camosun’s Interurban campus. This three-in-one event will introduce younger students to aspects of trades and technology careers, while secondary students showcase their skills in competition for gold, silver and bronze medals.

Regional Skills Competition – 9am-3pm

The Skills Canada BC South Vancouver Island Regional Competition will bring close to 100 secondary students (grades 11-12) to campus for the day, each competing in one of nine trades and technology skills competitions. Gold medal winners will then represent the South Island region at the Skills Canada BC provincial competition in Abbotsford, April 17. Those who capture provincial gold will proceed to the national competition, being hosted in Vancouver June 5-8.

Junior Skills Contest – 10am-1pm

More than 50 middle school students (grades 6-9) will test their creativity in three Junior Skills events:  Spaghetti Bridge Building, Gravity Car race and Sumo Robot contest.

Discover Trades and Technologies First Hand Activities – 9am-2pm

Up to 1,500 Grade 8 students will visit the campus as contest spectators and also to participate in a variety of hands-on trades and technology activities.

“With the skills shortage expected to hit BC in 2016, Camosun is excited to be part of the solution,” says Kelly Betts, coordinator of the South Island Partnership at Camosun, and president of Skills Canada BC. “Events like this provide an important introduction to the career possibilities in trades and tech. Senior students who are already interested have a chance to build confidence as they showcase their talents. Younger students get to pick up tools, have first-hand fun participating in the activities, and start to make connections between their personal interests and possible career paths.”

A few examples of hands-on activities include:  build and race a rocket; build a staircase; cut, crimp, bend and fuse pipe; design and build a landscape; braid hair; weld metal; and rev up a diesel engine.

Two awards ceremonies follow at 2pm and 3:30pm.

Agenda

Skills Competition / Discover Trades & Tech First Hand Activities
Friday, March 1, 2013 at Camosun College, Interurban campus

9am start:  Skills Canada BC South Island Regional Competition for Secondary Students

10am start:  Junior Skills Contests for Middle School Students

9am-2pm drop-in:  Discover Trades & Tech First Hand Activities for Grade 8 Students

Awards Ceremonies – Helmut Huber Cafeteria Annex