Skills Canada hosts 2nd annual Provincial Skilled Career Day
4/29/2003 11:30:00 AM
April 29, 2003 - Skills Canada announced the 2nd Annual Provincial Skilled Career Day, an event taking place on
May 2, 2003 to highlight the many exciting careers in skilled trades and technologies and encourage excellence in these fields.
The day-long event will take place at the College of the North Atlantic (Prince Philip Drive campus) in St. John’s and includes: the 6th Annual Provincial Skilled Trade and Technology Competitions; a National Level Manufacturing Team Challenge, skilled trade and technology demonstrations; a career fair; National Defence demonstration, career information sessions for students, parents and teachers; competition and campus tours; a “Skills Work for Women” Conference and an Awards Ceremony emceed by Barry Green with industry and government representatives, medals presentation, and a performance of IMPROVabilities improvisational comedy. Select Competitions and the Awards Ceremony will be broadcast live on the internet at http://www.northatlantic.nf.ca/skillsnfld/.
Skills Canada is a charitable organization devoted to promoting skilled trades and technologies as first choice career options, and achieves its goals in partnership with industry, government, labour and education through provincial, national and international competitions in trades and technologies and Skills Work for Women Conferences. Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador is sponsored by the Youth Employment Strategy, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.
The 6th Annual Provincial Skills Trade and Technology Competitions will bring together 250 high-school, post-secondary and apprenticeship finalists from all over the province to compete in 34 trade and technology competitions. Various government and business representatives including Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education Minister Anna Thistle, Cathy Drummond Regional Head of Human Resources Development Canada and St. John’s Board of Trade President Paul Thomey will address the Awards Ceremony and congratulate the winners, who will go on to represent the province at the 9th Annual Canadian Skills Competition in Waterloo in late May. The national competition will include over 600 of the best and brightest students in Canada, who will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in skilled trades and technologies. The winning team of four of the Manufacturing Technology Competition will go on to represent Canada in the World Skill Competitions in Switzerland in June!
A total of 650 students will participate in the provincial demonstrations, career fair, career information sessions and tours. The Skills Work for Women Conference will link 100 young women in grades nine and ten to female mentors in non-traditional careers and provide career information on trades and technologies. Students and teachers will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from these role models and discuss career paths, attitudes, methods to overcome barriers, and realities of every day work in these fields.
“Interest has grown significantly in our programs over the five years since Skills Canada was established in this province. I think that is a clear indication that our youth are interested in careers in trades and technology and that the community is willing to support them,” says Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador executive director Carole Ann Ryan. “The great support from our government and industry partners has allowed us to expand our annual competitions to include new programs and elements, and to reach as many students as possible through the career fair, demonstrations, workshops, and the Skills Work for Women Conference.”
Skills Canada provincial competitions were held in every province and territory of Canada during the last few months. Over 30,000 students participated in this year’s events, which help students improve their skills, self-confidence and motivation, ultimately directing them to excellent employment opportunities. The Provincial Skilled Career Day on May 2nd is open to the general public. For more information contact Skills Canada at 739-4172 or newfoundland@skillscanada.com.
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For more information:
Carole Ann Ryan , Executive Director - Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador
Ph: (709) 739-4172 Fax: (709) 739-4198, Cell 682-7989
newfoundland@skillscanada.com
http://www.northatlantic.nf.ca/skillsnfld/