REGINA — Sparks flew, sawdust scattered and creativity took centre stage as nearly 300 students, apprentices and young professionals gathered in Regina on Friday for the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial Competition.
Held across Campus Regina Public and Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Regina campus, the annual event brought together the province’s next generation of skilled workers to compete in more than 40 trade and technology categories, from welding and carpentry to cooking, hair-styling and graphic design.
But beyond the competition floor, the day was about something bigger: building Saskatchewan’s future workforce.
“It’s an annual event where we bring together around three hundred and fifty competitors each year to compete in forty-nine different skill areas,” explained Skills Canada Saskatchewan Executive Director Krystal Nieckar. “What we do is create an opportunity for kids to come together so they can not only grow their skill, but also all of the soft skills like confidence and the ability to connect with employers.”
A province looking for skilled workers
The competition comes at a critical time for Saskatchewan and Canada, as demand for skilled trades continues to surge. As of the end of 2025, nearly 7,800 apprentices were registered across the province, the highest number in nearly a decade.
At the same time, industry leaders warn that hundreds of thousands of tradespeople are expected to retire nationwide by 2028, creating an urgent need to train and inspire the next generation.
“Skilled trade employers tell us they’re recruiting,” Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission CEO Jeff Ritter said in the release. “They are looking for people who like to solve problems and work with their hands.”
That demand was visible throughout the day, as competitors worked under pressure while judges evaluated their precision, technique and problem-solving abilities in real time.
More than a competition
While medals were on the line, organizers emphasized the experience itself is what matters most.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for kids to grow and to learn and try new things,” Nieckar said. “All of the winners from our competition today get to advance to Nationals in Toronto this year. But one of our biggest goals is for kids to have fun. That’s really important to us.”
For many competitors, the event serves as a launchpad, offering direct exposure to industry professionals, post-secondary institutions and potential employers.
A career fair running alongside the competition gave students and visitors hands-on opportunities to explore different trades, reinforcing the idea that these careers are not only in demand but also highly rewarding.
Opening doors for the next generation
One of the most impactful parts of the day focused on expanding access to the trades.
Amy Cruson with the Construction Opportunity Development Council highlighted the Women in Trades and Technology program, which brought nearly 70 Grade 8 girls from across Saskatchewan to the event.
“Women in trades and technology are coming to explore all the different trades,” Cruson said. “They’re from everywhere from Meadow Lake to past Swift Current. It’s exciting to see that they get a chance to try experiences.”
The initiative aims to break down barriers and introduce young women to careers traditionally underrepresented by females, offering early exposure that could shape future career paths.
From Regina to the national stage
Top performers from the provincial competition will earn the chance to represent Team Saskatchewan at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto this May, with the potential to advance even further to the global stage at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later this year.
For many competitors, that journey begins with a single project, a single performance, or a single moment on the competition floor.
Building more than skills
As the day wrapped up, one thing was clear: this was not just a competition. It was a celebration of talent, determination and possibility.
From first-time competitors testing their abilities to seasoned apprentices refining their craft, the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial Competition showcased a generation ready to step into critical roles across the province.
And in a labour market hungry for skilled workers, that future cannot come soon enough.
