KITCHENER – Students from across Ontario competed in various contests at the 20th Ontario Technological Skills Competition at RIM Park in Waterloo on May 4th and 5th. Students from the Kitchener/Waterloo Area, took home 53 medals.

“The youth of Ontario have demonstrated their abilities in the skilled trades and technologies with tremendous passion! All of the competitors should be very pleased with the results achieved at this year’s competition – they are all winners for choosing a vocation that they enjoy and have the opportunity to excel at in the future,” said Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Canada – Ontario. “Their hard work and efforts to prepare for these contests was very evident. Congratulations to the competitors as well as the coaches, teachers and families for their support. The combined efforts of industry and education have helped these Ontario youth!”

“This is an exciting time for those who will make up Team Ontario,” added Smyth. “To have an opportunity to showcase their skills at a national level will only enhance their skills and brighten their future.” Over the course of the two days, more than 1,600 students from School Boards, Colleges and Training Delivery Agents demonstrated their strengths in designing, building, repairing, and styling. Perhaps most importantly, they learned from an experience that will forever shape the way they view careers in the skilled trades and technologies. They competed in over 50 skill contests ranging from Graphic Design, to Culinary Arts, to Plumbing, Carpentry, Auto Service, Workplace Safety, and Robotics. Many of the students who won gold will advance to compete for Ontario at the 15th Canadian Skills Competition being held in Charlottetown, PEI from May 20 - 23, 2009.

For a complete listing of medal winners for your area please visit the Skills Ontario website at www.skillsontario.com.

Over 30,000 spectators visited RIM Park in Waterloo, Ontario over the course of the 20th Ontario Technological Skills Competition. It is the showcase event of Skills Canada – Ontario, a not-for-profit organization whose goal it is to promote the skilled trades and technologies as a first-choice career option for young people.

Also, held in conjunction with these events were the Elementary Challenges, Elementary Workshops and Elementary and Secondary Young Women's Conferences.

The competition also hosted one of the most interactive Careers Showcases in Canada. Over the duration of the competition, 50+ exhibitors from industry, education, labour and government shared information about career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies with young people, parents and educators.