R.D. Parker Collegiate students picked up four first-place prizes and 12 top-three finishes Feb. 8 at the Northern Manitoba Regional Trades and Technology Skills Challenge hosted by University College of the North's Faculty of Trades and Technology in The Pas.
Grade 12 student Shawn Kreuger finished first in carpentry while Kotie Lysohirka, also in Grade 12, took the first-place prize in gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Grade 10 student Lindsay Gegenfurtner was first in hairstyling and Jason MacDonald, also a Grade 10, took stop spot in the computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application/computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CATIA/CAD/CAM) competition.
RDPC students swept the top three in GMAW, with Travis Bell second and Robert Sweeny third, as well as in hairstyling, where Dominick Ropson took second and Melissa Bloomfield third. Brandon Kipling was second in CATIA/CAD/CAM while William Dakers was second in carpentry. Brendan Halchsyshak and Eric Hilchey were second and third in basic auto service.
Other RDPC students in the competition included William Sass (fifth in power mechanics), Brad Morris and Sean Niell (fifth and sixth in basic auto service), and Veenu Ralilan and Matthew Killen (fifth and sixth in carpentry).
Altogether, 32 students from the school competed at the event.
The competition included students from eight communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan competing in subject areas including welding, carpentry, power mechanics, auto service and small engines.
UCN's Faculty of Trades and Technology offers 13 certificate, diploma and apprenticeship programs. It's the only place in Manitoba where students can receive training in all four levels of apprenticeship in industrial mechanic, also known as millwright.
"We are so proud of the growth and development in the UCN trades and technology areas," Dr. Denise K. Henning, president and vice-chancellor of UCN, said in a news release. "We are honoured to showcase some of the work and innovation to people from all over the province,"
Gabe Mercier, dean of the Faculty of Trades and Technology at UCN was behind the planning events for UCN's Trades and Technology Week.
"The major industries of the North rely heavily on the skills of people involved in trades and technology," he said. "A highly skilled workforce will attract new business and industry, support those already here, and help keep them here. A lack of skilled workers will impact our daily lives. If we can't find mechanics to repair our cars, carpenters to build our houses, or welders to work in our industries, we will really feel it, and soon."
