Camosun hosts annual South Island skills competition for local high school students

Media Release
Release Date: March 26, 2014

Camosun's Interurban campus will be abuzz with activity on Friday, March 28. About 1,000 grade 8 students and more than 200 high school and middle school students will be on campus for a one-day event coordinated by the South Island Partnership and Camosun's School of Trades and Technology.

This three-in-one event will introduce younger students to aspects of trades careers, while secondary and middle school 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 about 80 secondary students (grades 11-12) to campus for the day, each competing in one of seven skills competitions in trades and technology. Gold medal winners will then represent the south Island region at the 20th annual Skills Canada BC provincial competition in Abbotsford, April 9.

Junior Skills Contests:  10am-1pm

A record number of middle school students (grades 6-9) have signed up to test their creativity in three junior contests:  Spaghetti Bridge building, Gravity Car race and Sumo Robot contest.

Yes 2 IT hands-on activities:  9am-1pm

Our five local school districts are bringing busloads of Grade 8 students to view the contests and to participate in hands-on trades activities.

"We're looking forward to our best turnout ever in the the Junior Skills contests," says Kelly Betts, coordinator of the South Island Partnership at Camosun, and president of Skills Canada BC. "We have 19 teams building and breaking spaghetti bridges, 14 teams will be racing their custom-built gravity cars, and 18 individuals will be entering a Sumo Robot into the ring."

Camosun College is the largest trades training provider on Vancouver Island, and through the South Island Partnership, works closely with its five local school districts to help young people explore the possibilities of a career in the trades.  "This event opens doors and opens minds," explains Betts. "Senior students who are competing in the skills contests receive coaching and mentorship to build confidence as they showcase their talents. Younger students get to pick up tools, participate in the trades exploration activities, and start to make connections between their personal interests and possible career paths."

Medals and prizes will be handed out at the awards ceremony at 3:30pm.

Contact

Kelly Betts
Coordinator, South Island Partnership
Camosun College
P 250-370-4828     
C 250-514-3659     
bettsk@camosun.ca

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Agenda - Skills Competition/Yes 2 IT hands-on activities

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

• Automotive Services: Automotive shop, Jack White building
• Cabinet Making: Fine Furniture shop, Jack White building
• Carpentry: Carpentry shop, John Drysdale building
• Culinary Arts: Helmut Huber Cook Training Centre
• Electrical Wiring: Electrical shop, John Drysdale building
• Electronics: Room 204, Technology building
• Welding: Welding shop, Jack White building

10am start:  Junior Skills Contests for Middle School Students

• Gravity Car Race: Room 103, Portable A
• Spaghetti Bridge Building: Room 102/104, Portable A
• Sumo Robot Contest: Room 104, Jack White building

9am-2pm drop-in:  Yes 2 IT hands-on activities for Grade 8 Students

Students will arrive throughout the day for a two-hour visit, which will include a guided campus tour and a 30-minute hands-on session in one of the following activities:

• Automotive/Autobody: Basketball court
• Carpentry/Joinery: Carpentry shop, John Drysdale building
• Electrical: Electrical shop, John Drysdale building
• Hairstyling/Cosmetology: Portable A
• Horticulture/Aboriculture: Portable A
• Industry Showcase: Room 123, Jack White building
• Sheet Metal Fabrication: Sheet Metal shop, Jack White building
• Plumbing & Piping: Plumbing shop, John Drysdale building
• Welding: Welding shop, Jack White building

3:30pm:  Awards Ceremonies – Helmut Huber Cafeteria Annex

• Automotive Services
  
• Cabinet Making
  
• Carpentry                                                           
  
• Electrical
  
• Electronics
  
• Top School in the Region