Technological skills competition 'brings learning to life'

Rainbow District School Board will host its seventh annual Technological Skills Competition at Cambrian College March 8.

More than 150 secondary school students will test their skills in events such as carpentry, welding, auto-CAD, Rube Machine, video editing, photography, auto-service technology, fashion, 2D character animation and cabinet making, as well as small-powered equipment and website development.

Students will vie for an opportunity to compete in the provincial skills competition in Waterloo this May.

As part of the competition, 200 Grade 8 students will visit Cambrian College to learn more about the trades. Students will complete a series of hands-on workshops geared to technology including rocket launchers, sailboat competitions, energy systems and GPS in mining.

“Students need to begin thinking about careers at an early age,” says Leo Leclair, Rainbow District School Board’s co-ordinator for Specialist High Skills Major programs.

“Linking classroom instruction with real life experiences in a post-secondary environment is a key component of our destination-based curriculum. The Technological Skills Competition brings learning to life in a fun, challenging and creative way.”

The trades and technology departments at Cambrian College are providing the location for the various events and have helped to prepare some of the written and practical tests for the day in collaboration with teachers from participating secondary schools. They are also providing judges. Two of the events will be held at Lasalle Secondary School.

Participants will have an opportunity to go home with some wonderful prizes thanks to the support of community businesses and organizations including the Sudbury & Manitoulin Partnerships Board and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, among others. A plaque will be presented to the winning school in each category.

The awards ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the Cambrian College Student Centre. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.