Grand Erie attends Ontario Technological Skills Competition 2016
Twelve Grand Erie secondary schools were represented at this year’s Ontario Technological Skills Competition for secondary students from Monday, May 2 to Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at RIM Park in Waterloo.
Over the three days, students competed in a variety of contest categories including carpentry, culinary arts, graphic design and more at Canada’s largest skilled trades competition. Elementary school students also attended the skills competition as spectators, where a number of trade organizations and activities were on display for the students to explore and learn from.
In conjunction with the competition, female students from Grades 7-12 in Grand Erie attended the Young Women’s Conference at Bingemans in Kitchener on Monday and Tuesday. There, students met and networked with tradeswomen from across the province and challenged their skills in a fun, hands-on activity.
Over 1,300 female students from 20 different school boards across Ontario attended the conference over the two days.
Jamie McMillan, Founder of Journeyman, KickAss Careers & Ironworker, addressed the female students on Tuesday as the keynote speaker for the morning. Journeyman KickAss Careers is a grass roots initiative created to educate students about alternate pathways in trades and technology.
"Never be discouraged by the term 'journeyman'," McMillan told the students. "That's a status that has nothing to do with gender."
McMillan encouraged the students to explore careers in the trades and technology and that they "can do anything guys can do too."
The skills competition wrapped up on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 with an awards ceremony and acknowledgement of the participants.