SWIFT CURRENT — This past weekend, Autumn Coates was awarded the RBC Best of Region for Saskatchewan Award at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition.
Coates will receive $1,500 towards her education and future career in the trades. A Grade 12 student at Swift Current Comprehensive, Autumn participated in the IT Office Software Applications competition, competing against students from across the country.
Held in Winnipeg from May 25-26, the competition brought together students and apprentices from across the country to compete against each other in their sectors of expertise. Over 550 students from all regions of Canada participated in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions. The event is the only national, multi-trade and technology completion for students and apprentices in the country.
“My attention to detail led to my success at the competition,” said Coates. “Every little detail was worth something, so focus was really important.”
For the second consecutive year, the RBC Best of Region Awards were awarded at the Skills Canada National Competition to the competitor with the best-weighted score from each province and territory.
“Receiving the award is really big for me,” said Coates. “I plan to put it towards my post-secondary education.”
By providing a forum where young Canadians can compete, the national competition provides hands-on work experience related to skilled trade and technology careers.
According to RBC’s ‘Powering Up’ report, which studied the current state of Canada’s skilled trades industry, Canada will face a shortage of thousands of workers in nationally recognized Red Seal trades by 2026
Approximately 250 medals were awarded to the top competitors in six skilled trade and technology sectors, including transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, services and employment. The competitors were evaluated based on strict industry standards.
The complete list of medalists is available on the , under the .
During SCNC, more than 12,000 student visitors, industry leaders, government officials and industry celebrities were in attendance to take part in some of the onsite activities such as the Skills Symposium, Skills Showcase featuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis Skills, the Empowering Women in the Trades initiative and more than 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities.
Celebrities included Kate Campbell, Founder of Kate’s Contracting Inc. and Jamie McMillan, Founder of KickAss Careers, both strong advocates for women in skilled trades, and Mark Brand, Pioneer Chef and Entrepreneur.
The goal of SCNC is to engage Canadian youth and promote all of the rewarding careers that are available to them in the skilled trades and technologies. It is the only national multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country.
