A total of 15 RRC Polytech students medaled in Vancouver last week at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) where more than 300 post-secondary competitors from across Canada participated in over 35 skilled trade and technology competitions from May 25-28.

“We’re all so proud of the students from RRC Polytech who were able to compete, truly highlighting the talent that comes from our province” said Derek Kochenash, Dean, Skilled Trades and Technologies. “These students have worked so hard to show off their talents to peers and industry professionals across the country. This event also showcases how prepared our students are for careers in the trades.”

The SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. 21 students from RRC Polytech qualified to represent Team Manitoba in 20 different contests at the two-day competition.

“It was a good thing for me to be a part of and I was able to push myself and see how I stack up and kind of gauge where my skills are at for my own personal development,” said Derrick Penner, current RRC Polytech Cabinetmaking student and Cabinet Making gold medalist at Skills Canada National Competition. “Cabinetry and woodworking are definitely passions of mine. So that’s what I want to keep on doing. Whether I work for myself, or continue to work for an employer – that’s just what I want to keep doing.”

The four-day event is open to the public, where guests were invited to Try-a-Trade and Technology activity, participate in interactive demonstrations by industry celebrities, visit the “career zone” that highlight the importance of the trades, and participants were invited to exclusive networking events.

“The students who participate in these competitions today will be the workforce of tomorrow and it is important that we support them in this journey,” said David Shnider, Director, The Princess Auto Foundation. “We’re proud to sponsor the students at RRC Polytech as they showcase their talents in the trades for their peers and industry professionals across the country.”

Travel costs were generously supported by Princess Auto Foundation, Gene Haas Foundation, Manitoba Aerospace, and Pepsi Student Travel Award Fund, along with a donation from Skills Manitoba in honour of Andrew Ormiston.

“The competition was always friendly and cooperative. So even though you were competing against each other, you could still be friends, which was awesome,” added Penner, who spends his spare time building guitars and other woodworking projects and is looking forward to building on his skills through the Cabinetmaking program at RRC Polytech.

“As the coaches of two winners in the culinary and baking competition, we feel quite proud of our students and their accomplishments,” said Kristen Chemerika-Lew and Chantalle Noschese. “There is quite a bit of time and effort put into preparing students for competitions and it truly feels like a team effort when they achieve podium results. We’re so proud of all RRC Polytech winners, we can’t wait to see what you do next!”

Chemerika-Lew and Noschese noted that the students dedication and investment in their education along with the countless hours spent training made their job so much more rewarding.

The secondary competition remained virtual this year, where 200 competitors from regions across Canada competed in 45 skilled trade and technology competitions and were highlighted onsite at the venue and through the livestream.

Manitoba will be hosting the Skills Canada National Competition in May 2023 at the RBC Convention Centre, with RRC Polytech as one of the event’s partners. RRC Polytech has hosted the provincial competition on its campuses since 1998, minus the recent years the event was presented virtually.

As Manitoba’s only polytechnic, RRC Polytech has a proven track record of success in training an innovative skilled trades workforce. The College’s Skilled Trades and Technology Centre is a state-of-the-art, 104,000 square foot complex that houses laboratory, shop space and classrooms for up to 1000 students per year in high-demand trades and technologies.

The STTC also supports technology and innovation in robotics and automation, hydraulics and pneumatics, materials, electronics, computer aided design, and the Innovation Lab for applied research initiatives, and industry and student projects.