REGINA — The pressure was on, the tools were ready and the talent was unmistakable.
This spring, 54 Saskatchewan Polytechnic students and apprentices proved their skills on a provincial stage, earning gold, silver or bronze medals at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial Competition.
Nineteen competitors will advance to the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Toronto on May 28-29, where they will face the best student and apprentice talent from across the country.
Skills Canada Saskatchewan plays a key role in promoting and developing skilled trades and technologies across the province. The provincial competition, held in March at Sask Polytech’s Regina and Moose Jaw campuses, gave students hands-on experience while helping employers see the quality of training happening in Saskatchewan.
“Skills competitions are designed to mirror workplace demands including tight timelines, technical precision and problem-solving under pressure,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “For students, that experience can be invaluable. We’re proud to showcase the advantage of a polytechnic education though the Skills Canada competitions. Congratulations to all the participants and good luck to the medal recipients going on to compete at nationals!”
Participants competed across a wide range of categories, spanning skilled trades and technologies. Events included graphic design, game development and electronics, as well as plumbing, bricklaying, carpentry, machining, aesthetics, hairstyling and welding.
Among the medal winners, 21 are registered apprentices with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) and attended technical training at Sask Polytech.
“The apprentices at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan competition should be proud of their talent and accomplishments in the skilled trades,” says SATCC CEO Jeff Ritter. “Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck to those competing at the national competition.”
"Our provincial competition showcases the high level of skill, focus and professionalism Saskatchewan students bring to their trades and technologies,” says Krystal Nieckar, executive director of Skills Canada Saskatchewan. “Events like this give competitors the chance to test themselves against industry standards while building confidence, career readiness, and pride in their craft.”
Those moving on to the Skills Canada National Competition will face a new level of challenge. SCNC is Canada’s premier event for students and apprentices in skilled trades and technologies, bringing together more than 500 competitors from across the country to compete in over 40 skill areas.
Congratulations to all Sask Polytech competitors on their achievements, and best of luck to those representing Saskatchewan on the national stage in May.
Construction sector
Bricklaying #20
- Gold: Daylon Schrader, Level 3 Bricklayer apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Jacob Dunn, Level 2 Bricklayer apprentice
- Bronze: Joshua Bradley, Level 3 Bricklayer apprentice
Carpentry #26
- Gold: John Gulrud, Level 2 Carpenter apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Jacob Wiebe, Level 4 Carpenter apprentice
- Bronze: Colin Bovingdon, Level 3 Carpenter apprentice
Electrical Installations #18
- Gold: Rory Nemeth, competing at SCNC
Industrial Control #19
- Gold: Jacob Argue, Level 4 Construction Electrician apprentice
Plumbing #15
- Gold: Brody Marcinkiw, Level 2 Plumber apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Ewan Johnson, Level 4 Plumber apprentice
- Bronze: Lucas Seabrook, Level 2 Plumber apprentice
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning # 38
- Gold: Ashton Belitski, Level 2 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Ben Larocque, Level 2 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprentice
Sheet metal work #43
- Gold: Mitchell Ervin, Level 2 Sheet Metal Worker apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Shawn Androsoff, Level 2 Sheet Metal Worker apprentice
Steamfitter / pipefitter #81
- Gold: Christoph Zawatsky, Level 2 Steamfitter-Pipefitter apprentice, competing at SCNC
- Silver: Destin Payette, Level 3 Steamfitter-Pipefitter apprentice
- Bronze: Dylan Lamontagne, Level 3 Steamfitter-Pipefitter apprentice
Welding #10
- Gold: Aum Patel. competing at SCNC
- Silver: Carson McBey
- Bronze: Dayne Heisler
- Bronze: Kyle Balitski
