Grant Williams of Sardis secondary prepares his dish during the culinary division of the Skills Canada Regional Skills Competition at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Trades and Technology Centre in Chilliwack in 2015. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)

Students from throughout the Fraser Valley will come together for a trades and technology competition this week in Chilliwack.

Skills Canada BC is hosting its 26th annual regional competitions at several locations across the province, including one at the University of the Fraser Valley Trades and Technology Centre in Chilliwack on Thursday.

Secondary and post-secondary students – including kids in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Langley and Fraser-Cascade school districts – will be competing. The event sees students participate in hands-on competitive events where they work with different trades and technological skills.

The students will be taking part in the following competitions: 2D and 3D animation, architectural and mechanical CAD, auto service, cabinetmaking, carpentry, culinary arts, electrical wiring, junior skills gravity vehicle, spaghetti bridge building, and welding.

The 13 regional competitions began on Feb. 14 and will continue until March 12. Winners of the regional competitions advance to the provincials where they have the chance of moving on to the national and world skills competitions.

Additionally, every year the event sees thousands of younger students (middle and high school) attend and watch as the other students compete. It’s also a chance for them to take part in a “Try-a-Trade” activity and explore future career opportunities.

“These competitions serve two main purposes” said John Haller, president of Skills Canada BC. “Firstly, they celebrate and reward students for excellence in their mastery of a skilled trade or technology sector in a manner that directly involves industry and labour who assist in evaluating student performance. This keeps training relevant to employers’ needs.”

“Secondly, Skills Canada BC competitions create interactive and engaging environments to expose tens of thousands of young people to potential skilled trade and technology careers who annually attend the competitions as spectators.”

In 2019, 3,100 students across the province competed in Skills Canada BC’s regional competitions.

Skills Canada BC is a nonprofit and charitable organization that provides educational programs to promote the skilled trades and technology sectors and train B.C.’s future workforce.

READ MORE: Eight Chilliwack students earn hardware at Skills Canada provincial competition – April 26, 2019

READ MORE: Sardis secondary students earn silver at National Skills Canada contest – June 12, 2019

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Email: jenna.hauck@theprogress.com

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