Waterloo - The 20th Ontario Technological Skills Competition is Skills Canada – Ontario’s cornerstone event, attracting over 1, 600 competitors and 30, 000 visitors from across the province. Over 60 contests in the skilled trades and technologies are offered at the competition to secondary and post‐secondary level students, including apprentices. Come view homebuilding, carpentry, auto body, culinary, robotics, landscape design, 3D character animation, welding, hairstyling, to name just a few. These contests allow participants to showcase their skills, talent and knowledge while providing them many networking opportunities with partners from industry, labour, government and education.

In order to make the 20th Ontario Technological Skills Competition a reality, over $5 million worth of tools, equipment, material and supplies are generously donated by sponsoring organizations that understand and support the mandate of Skills Canada – Ontario. Hundreds of volunteers work countless hours throughout the year to ensure the contests run smoothly and that the hosting facility is prepared for the event.

Many secondary and post‐secondary level gold medalists from the Ontario Technological Skills Competition will advance to the Canadian Skills Competition as members of Team Ontario on May 20‐23, 2009, in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

The general public is welcome to visit the Ontario Technological Skills Competition May 4 and 5, 2009, free of charge or purchase a ticket in advance for the closing ceremonies.

Skills Canada - Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development of youth and the prosperity of industry in Ontario. We strive to promote the skilled trades and technologies as viable, first choice career options for young people.

Schedule of Events:

Monday, May 4th, 2009 Elementary Day, RIM Park and Manulife Financial Sportsplex

9:30am – 3:30pm Elementary Challenges, 300 students compete for medal standings in 11 challenges, ranging from Lego Robotics to Construction.

9:30am– 3:00pm Grades 7&8 “Think Skills…Think Future!” Young Womens’ Conference, Embassy Room, Bingemans. Female skilled trade and technology mentors share career stories with female students. The conference also includes hands‐on activities and lunch.

9:30am – 3:00pm Career Exploration Showcase. Over 50 exhibitors share information with visitors. Many booths provide interactive skilled trades and technology activities.

12:15pm – 3:30pm Chair’s Luncheon & Tour, Regal Room, RIM Park ‐ Guest Speaker, The Honourable Steven W. Mahoney, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), by invitation only. Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 Ontario Technological Skills Competition, RIM Park and Manulife Financial Sportsplex

7:00am – 7:30am Competitor Registration

8:00am – 9:00pm Competition Breakfast & Tour, Regent Room, Waterloo Inn ‐ Guest Speaker, Duncan Hawthorne, President, Bruce Power Generation, by invitation only.

8:00am – 4:00pm Ontario Technological Skills Competition. Over 1, 600 students from across Ontario are competing in 60 skilled trades and technology contests. Throughout the day students showcase their skill in contests ranging from: auto collision repair, brick laying, carpentry, character animation, photography, electrical wiring, fashion design, floristry, hairstyling, landscape gardening, plumbing, truck and coach mechanic and welding.

9:30am – 3:00pm Grades 9&10 Young Womens’ Conference, Embassy Room, Bingemans.

9:30am – 3:00pm Career Exploration Showcase. Over 50 exhibitors share information with visitors. Many booths provide interactive skilled trades and technology activities.

11:00am – 3:30pm “Beef up the Bursary” Fundraising Barbeque hosted by M&M Meat Shops – proceeds support the Skills Canada – Ontario Bursary. Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 Closing Ceremony, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex

9:00am – 12:00pm Closing Ceremony (tickets required)

Best Times: The Ontario Technological Skills Competition, Tuesday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Completed culinary delights set out as samples, Tuesday 2:30 pm Gold Medal Round for Robotics Contest, Tuesday 3:00 pm