News Article

After years of hard work, months of preparation and over 20-hours of competition, Justin Bennett is officially an internationally recognized cabinetmaker, taking a bronze medal at the WorldSkills Americas Competition in São Paulo, Brazil.
 
The 20-year-old Corner Brook native was selected by Skills Canada to represent the nation in his field of cabinetmaking at the WorldSkills Americas Competition from Nov. 10-20. His performance at the competition proved his work measures up against projects built by the best young cabinetmakers in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
 
Bennett made the journey with teammates from every province and territory of the country as well as his coach, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Cabinetmaker Instructor Kelly Tompkins. The duo had previously traveled to Skills Canada National Competitions in Quebec City and Edmonton.
 
It was their strong performance at those national competitions, including a silver medal win in Quebec City, which earned them a spot on Team Canada this year. Bennett and Tompkins were strongly encouraged by a number of supporters as they prepared for and competed in Brazil.
 
“In choosing Justin and Kelly as representatives for our province and country, Skills Canada truly selected two passionate, dedicated and hardworking individuals to compete at the WorldSkills Americas Competition,” says Carole Ann Ryan, Executive Director of Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. “Their commitment to cabinetmaking and strong abilities in this field were recognized and rewarded quite rightly when Justin was presented a bronze medal on Nov. 12.”
 
CNA President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan also offered her congratulations to the pair.
 
“CNA is so proud of Justin Bennett and his success. Working with every successful student is an exceptional instructor – Kelly Tompkins is an excellent example. Together they worked as a team to achieve this fabulous result! Our sincere congratulations to both of them.”
 
Bennett says the opportunity to travel abroad and compete as a representative of one’s country is an experience that generates a great deal of pride and creates memories that will last a lifetime – some of which are difficult to put into words.
 
“I had all kinds of feelings when I went to the podium,” says Bennett of the moment when he was presented his medal. “I was happy that I did so well.”
 
Tompkins was equally impressed at his experience as part of Team Canada.
 
“Representing Canada took some getting used to. I kept looking around for the Newfoundland and Labrador flag and then I would realize, ‘Oh yeah, it’s Canada we are representing. Wow!’”
 
This year marked Canada’s first time sending a team to the WorldSkills Americas Competition and the group returned home with a total of nine medals and a third place ranking amongst all competing nations.
 
Currently, Bennett is an apprentice cabinetmaker at Jasper Kitchen and Bath in Corner Brook.
 
WorldSkills Americas is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that works in conjunction with WorldSkills International and has as its main objective to provide and promote the highest standards of training in vocational education by means of exchange amongst its 31-member regions and countries. Skills Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that works to reposition careers in skilled trades and technologies as first-choice career options for young Canadians. Team Canada members participated in 13 competition areas ranging from plumbing and electronics to graphic design and robotics.
 
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Media Contacts:
 
Melissa Halford
Project Manager - Communications & Programs
Skills Canada Newfoundland & Labrador
709.739.4172
melissah@skillscanada.com  
 
  
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca