North Bay, Ontario – Canadore College President Barbara Taylor is pleased to renew a partnership with Skills Canada – Ontario, a provincial not-for-profit organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies as first choice career options to Ontario youth. Students will use Canadore College facilities to advance their abilities in the skilled trades on April 14th, 2007.
“The skilled trades sector is vital to our economy. Helping to promote these competitions and events, that showcase the trades and encourage youth to showcase their talents and participate in one of these dynamic fields, is beneficial on a local and national level,” President Taylor said.
The Qualifying Competitions are offered in six areas of the province in partnership with Ontario colleges in preparation for the Ontario Technological Skills Competition to be held later this month in Waterloo. Currently, the following six contests are offered at each Qualifying Competition location: Carpentry-Individual, Small Powered Equipment, TV and Video Production, Welding, Culinary Arts and Internet-Web Page Design.
The scopes, projects, judging criteria and score sheets for each contest will be created by Qualifying Technical Committees (QTC) consisting of one representative from each qualifying area (college) and the OTSC contest Technical Committee Chair. These documents will be used in all six Qualifying Competitions contests to maintain consistency in competitor selection across the province. The first, second and possibly third place competitor in each contest from each location will advance to the OTSC, as long as a minimum score of 60% has been achieved at the Qualifying Competition.
“It’s a case of common goals: Skills Canada – Ontario promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to students, while our Canadore College provides the training,” Skills Canada - Ontario’s Executive Director Gail Smyth said. “Taken together, we hope these opportunities will encourage young people to consider a career in skilled trades, and allow youth to pursue skills training opportunities in their communities.”
Smyth noted that this is an excellent example of what can happen when the not-for-profit sector and our educational institutions come together. “This continued partnership will directly impact the career choices of youth in Ontario. Skills Canada – Ontario has implemented the Qualifying Competitions for youth to explore their career options in a supportive and informative way.”
For further information, please contact:
Contact: Amy Ross, Alumni Officer
Skills Canada - Ontario
(519)749-9899 ext 221
amyr@skillscanada.com
About Canadore College
Canadore College has three easily accessible campuses in the city of North Bay and three satellite campuses in Sturgeon Falls, Parry Sound and Mattawa. The main campus is situated amidst a stunning natural environment on a 650-acre wooded escarpment. Each year 3500 students experience Canadore. Canadore offers more than 80 full-time postsecondary programs and a number of continuing education and summer arts courses.
About Skills Canada – Ontario
Skills Canada – Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades and technologies as viable, first choice career options to Ontario youth. Through its partnerships in education, industry, labour and government, it is helping young people brighten their futures and industry to strengthen theirs. Through programs and initiatives, such as qualifying and provincial skills competitions, Skills Canada – Ontario supports the development of youth and the prosperity of industry in Ontario.
