KELOWNA – The nineteenth annual Skills B.C. Central Okanagan regional competition attracted more than 500 students from Revelstoke to the South Okanagan-Similkameen. The long running event is held at Okanagan College. The top prize in the competition is a gold medal and the bragging rights that come along with it, but organizers say it’s also about the experience.
“I want them to get tools in their hands. I want them to be able to see what it’s like to handle a tool of all the different trades that are out there so they know there’s options,” says Dianne Holm, Skills Canada B.C. regional coordinator.
Students from grade six to grade 12 can enter to show off their skills in a variety of trades from culinary arts to auto mechanics to carpentry. The students are seeking recognition to help them get jobs.
“It’s definitely a good asset because I can’t have a shop like this at school so I definitely learned a lot more than I do there,” says Levi Harris, a grade 11 student from South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver.
Holm says the idea is to encourage those with an interest in trades and technologies at an early age.
“Quite often they think that there is one avenue to take but there’s so many and trades right now is booming and if we can spark the imagination of some of these students, I’d be thrilled,” says Holm.
Those who win will move on to the provincial competition where the Okanagan’s most talented kids will show of their abilities to all of B.C. The competition is one of 13 taking place around the province.
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