Seventeen students and apprentices from throughout B.C. were honoured last night as B.C. gears up to host the 2013 Skills Canada National Competition.

BC Place will vibrate with excitement as over 500 competitors compete in 40 contest areas from June 5 to 8, each vying for a chance at a coveted gold medal. The Skills Canada National Competition, the only event of its kind in Canada, helps to raise the profile of careers in trades and technology, a key element of the BC Jobs Plan that is supporting continued growth of B.C.'s economy.

Team B.C. brought home five gold, five silver and seven bronze medals from the 2012 competition, which was held in Edmonton, Alberta, in technical fields that will be key to the future of B.C.'s economy, such as mining and shipbuilding, and tourism and hospitality.

As Canada's largest display of trade and technology talent, the competition brings together secondary, post-secondary and apprenticeship students from across Canada to compete in contests in an Olympic-style event. From baking to welding to 3D computer animation design, competitors put their skills in math and science to the test, and challenge their problem-solving, teamwork and creative thinking skills.

Every year, the national competition attracts more than 12,000 participants and spectators. Winners of the national event go on to represent Canada at the World Skills Competition in Leipzig, Germany.

Donna Lu, a secondary school student from Eric Hamber Secondary school, who competed and won gold medals at the North West Lower Mainland Regional Competition at the BC Provincial Competition and at the National Competition in Edmonton, will represent B.C. on Team Canada in Leipzig in the 2013 World Skills Competition. Lu won a gold medal for her skilled accomplishments in the fashion technology contest area.

The competition will host educators, industry, labour and government representatives who will provide hands-on opportunities to Try-a-Trade/Technology and provide resources to help guide young people into rewarding careers in the skilled trades and technologies.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap -

"Congratulations to the students who represented B.C. on the national stage this past year. The BC Jobs Plan depends on the energy and talent of a strong, skilled workforce. Your accomplishments are a testament to the quality of the post-secondary education and training here in B.C."

"Hosting the 2013 national competition will offer a chance to our many talented B.C. students to compete and demonstrate their skills on home turf."

Minister of Jobs, Tourism, Skills and Training Pat Bell -

"The foundation of our Skills and Training Plan is to prepare B.C. for the jobs of tomorrow by matching our education system with our economy. With a strong focus on regional skills needs, we are working to ensure labour supply meets demand and that British Columbians are first in line for new jobs. I would like to congratulate these outstanding B.C. students and wish them every success in their future careers."

Kelly Betts, president, Skills Canada BC -

"We are very proud of B.C. youth that participate in Skills Canada Competitions. Each year we seek out the best and the brightest BC youth developing skills in trades and technologies to represent B.C. at the national competitions. This year, 17 B.C. secondary and post-secondary students won medals at the Skills Canada Competition. Skills BC is incredibly proud of their achievements and the contributions of the coaches that support them. Thanks to thousands of Skills BC volunteers - committed to the skills movement!"

Donna Lu, Eric Hamber Secondary school student, member of Team Canada 2013 -

"After years of hard work, training, and learning, I was ecstatic when they announced that I won the gold medal at the National Skills Competition, and would represent Canada at the World Skills Competition in Leipzig next year."

"Representing Canada at the World Skills Competition is a great privilege and honour. I am planning to train until I have the confidence that I will be able to stand on the podium, medal in hand next year."

Learn More:

• To learn more about Skills Canada BC, go to: http://www.skillscanada.bc.ca
• To learn more about Skills Canada and the national competition, go to: http://www.skillscanada.com
• To learn more about the Industry Training Authority, go to: http://www.itabc.ca
• Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/
• Skills for Growth, British Columbia's labour market strategy to 2020: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/skills_for_growth/welcome.htm

Contact:
Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400
Dan.gilmore@gov.bc.ca

Amber Papou
Executive Director
Skills Canada BC
604 432-4360

BACKGROUNDER

Luis Aguilar
Baking
Templeton Secondary
Vancouver
National bronze medallist

Morgan Brown
Carpentry
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo
National gold medallist

Jesse Carlson
Automation and control
Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops
National bronze medallist

Zander Erasmus
Electronics
Okanagan College
Kelowna
National bronze medallist

Alex Greba
TV/Video production
Penticton Secondary
Penticton
National silver medallist

Tyler Hireen
Welding
Clayton Heights Secondary
Surrey
National bronze medallist

Gordon Kearns
Electrical wiring
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack
National silver medallist

Donna Lu
Women's apparel design
Eric Hamber Secondary
Vancouver
National gold medallist

Ryan Marsh
Welding
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby
National gold medallist

Ben Perrault
Carpentry
Brooks Secondary
Powell River
National silver medallist

Sharla Potrie
Baking
Vancouver Community College
Vancouver
National bronze medallist

Layne Richardson
TV/video production
Penticton Secondary
Penticton
National silver medallist

Jamie Ruddick
3D character computer animation
Dover Bay Secondary
Nanaimo
National gold medallist

Hudson Schier
Electronics
Clarence Fulton Secondary
Vernon
National silver medallist

Anthony Smith
Website development
Clayton Heights Secondary
Surrey
National bronze medallist

Josiah Stefani
3D character computer animation
Dover Bay Secondary
Nanaimo
National Gold medallist

Alexander Travis
Aircraft maintenance
Okanagan College
Kelowna
National bronze medallist

Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400
Dan.gilmore@gov.bc.ca

Amber Papou
Executive Director
Skills Canada BC
604 432-4360