Eighteen Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) students competed at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) on May 30 and 31 in Quebec City.

Out of 550 students from across Canada, they helped put Manitoba in third place overall, with RRC Polytech students being awarded nine of the 29 medals won by Manitobans at the SCNC.

In bricklaying, cabinet making and landscape gardening RRC Polytech students came out on top with gold medals plus silver and bronze medals in the CNC machining, refrigeration, aerospace technology, sheet metal work, and sprinkler fitter categories. A full list of Manitoba medal winners is available on the Skills Manitoba website.

“Our students put hours and hours of time and training preparing for these competitions to refine their craft,” said Scott Savoy, Chair of Construction Trades and Vice President of Skills Manitoba. “We’re so proud of all our students who put themselves out there to compete. It’s not an easy thing to do. Being on the national stage is a big deal and it shows that we are doing here at RRC Polytech is working because our students are performing and bringing home medals to show for it.”

All students who competed in the national competition had won a gold medal at the Manitoba provincial competition held in April.

Congratulations to all the medalists who took to the podium in Quebec City, and to each of the competitors who showcased their talents in their chosen field.

RRC Polytech medalists:

Kayla Wieler, Landscape Gardening (2) (PS), GOLD

Jacob Abbey, Landscape Gardening (2) (PS), GOLD

Jackson Bear, Bricklaying (PS), GOLD

Derrick Penner, Bricklaying (PS), GOLD

Kai Johnson, CNC Machining (PS), SILVER

Brett Mitchell, Sheet Metal Work (PS), SILVER

Roman Boyechko, Aerospace Technology (PS), BRONZE

Daniel Holmes, Refrigeration (PS), BRONZE

Andrew Bartel, Sprinkler Fitter (PS), BRONZE