News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Thirty-seven students from across New Brunswick will compete in 28 categories at the 2017 Skills Canada National Competition, May 31 to June 3, in Winnipeg.

“I would like to recognize those who have made it onto the Skills Canada New Brunswick team and congratulate each one for their impressive accomplishments at the provincial competitions,” said deputy premier Stephen Horsman. “Your government has many employment opportunities for skilled tradespeople, and this competition will provide the chance to learn about many promising career paths in the skilled trades and technology sectors in New Brunswick.”

Horsman spoke on behalf of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault.

The provincial team includes students from high schools and post-secondary institutions who will be participating in a number of disciplines:

Autobody repair

• Marc-André Benoit

Automation and control

• Rémi Guignard

Automotive Service

• Pascal Doiron
• Seth Oakes

Brick masonry

• Ashley Ritchie

Cabinetmaking

• Frédéric Mallet-Boudreau
• Robert McGraw

Car painting

• Jaycobb Hooper

Carpentry

• Kyle Hébert
• Paige Mitchell

CNC machining

• Anthony Bonspille

Cooking

• Toni Levesque
• Alysha Saulnier

Electrical installations

• Aaron Johnson
• Landon Audet

Fashion technology

• Melissa Downing

Hairstyling

• Michelle Gilbert

Heavy equipment service

• Andrew Kennah

Industrial mechanics-millwright

• Ben Hill

Landscape gardening

• Kevin McLean
• Trevor Perks

Outdoor power and recreation equipment

• Ryan McDonald
• Danic Ruest

Plumbing

• Colin Kelly

Precision machining

• Brent Merritt

Public speaking

• Camille Morais-Savoie

Refrigeration and air conditioning

• Shawn Hébert

Robotics

• Ariana Daigle
• Benjamin Ward

Sheet metal work

• Jeremy Price

Sprinkler systems

• Cliff Bennett

Steamfitter-pipefitter

• Justin McGrath

TV and video production

• Will Dunnett
• Nicola Tomczak

Welding

• Zakari DeGrâce
• Corey Guignard

Workplace safety

• James Reid

“Providing these competitions to youth across the country helps bring awareness of the opportunities available in each province,” said Rick Smith, president of Skills Canada New Brunswick’s board of directors. “Exposing students to the benefits of the trades and technology fields at a young age helps them make important decisions when the time comes to continue into their post-secondary education.”

The Skills Canada National Competition is an Olympic-style event that promotes careers in the technology and trades fields. It is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country.

More than 500 participants from across Canada will compete in more than 40 skilled trades. They will have the opportunity to try different trades, watch the best in the country compete at tasks associated with their trade, and gather information about becoming a tradesperson.

The apprenticeship and trades branch helps New Brunswickers gain the knowledge, training and funding required to obtain certification in various skilled trades. More information is available through provincial apprenticeship offices.