News Releases

NBCC apprentice Alice Michaud, centre, won gold in Car Painting at the Skills Canada National Competition. Michaud was also named Best in Region for New Brunswick. Photo credit: Skills Canada

NBCC’s excellence in skilled trades training shone through at the recent Skills Canada National Competition, held in Winnipeg, Man., as the College’s learners picked up six medals.

“The Skills Canada National Competition is like the Olympics of the skilled trades,” said Ashley Ritchie, NBCC’s Academic Chair, Construction Trades. “It brings substantial awareness of the skilled trades and gives youth a chance to showcase and enhance their skills in their chosen field.

“The energy surrounding this event is unforgettable and truly life-changing for the competitors. I am proud to volunteer my time as a national technical committee member for this event.”

Alice Michaud, an NBCC apprentice from the Saint John Campus, led the way for with a gold medal in the Car Painting competition. Throughout her NBCC education, Michaud was supported by instructors Don MacKay, Bob Chamberlain, Gerald Cosman, and Charles Thorne. Michaud was also recognized as the Best in Region, scoring the highest of all New Brunswick competitors in all disciplines.

Other NBCC medallists included:

• Miguel Boudreau, silver, Sheet Metal, instructed by Paul Lavigne, Anthony Potter, Duane Maillet, Tracy Dunn, and Ranetha Murphy at Moncton Campus;
• Calvin Getchell, silver, Industrial Mechanics, instructed by Shannon Savoy, Bill Barron, Randy Arseneau, Blair Patterson, Scott Murphy, Timothy Floyd, Jason McGrath, Stephen Agnew, Jim Banks, Kelsey McKenzie, and Amanda Fagan at Saint John Campus;
• Maxime Cormier, bronze, CNC Machining, instructed by Bob Doucet, Greg Currie, Marco Cormier, Keith Eagles, and Curtis Yeomans at Moncton Campus;

• Alex Johnston, bronze, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, instructed by Greg Daborn, Jon Boyd, Eric Ellefsen, Jesse Sutherland, Brad Ashman, and Ashley Radtke at St. Andrews Campus; and
• Barret MacLennan, bronze, Plumbing, instructed by Skip Siddall, Bob Pringle, Dan Thomas, and Chris Williams at Moncton Campus.

As New Brunswick faces a critical shortage of skilled trades professionals, events like the Skills Canada National Competition are an important tool to demonstrate the range of exciting career possibilities in the sector, said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC.

“With hundreds of current vacancies and an estimated 17,000 tradespeople in New Brunswick over the age of 55, there are a wealth of opportunities in the skilled trades,” said Butler. “Skills Canada shines a light on those opportunities and provides a showcase for trades excellence. Congratulations to the medallists, and all NBCC competitors and instructors who took part.”

More than 12,000 students, industry leaders, and government officials attended the two-day competition, held annually to engage Canadian youth and promote the rewarding career opportunities available to them in the skilled trades. The Skills Canada National Competition is supported by the Government of Canada, UA Canada, Cenovus Energy, and Apprenticeship Manitoba.

About NBCC: As one of New Brunswick’s largest postsecondary education institutions, NBCC drives social and economic wellbeing across the province. NBCC welcomes 11,000 learners each year through quality-assured, relevant training opportunities. Supported by the Going Beyond campaign, NBCC is committed to accelerating skills development, innovating educational delivery, and reaching unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers. Find out more at: www.nbcc.ca.

About Skills Canada: Skills Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not‐for‐profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups, and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth. For more information visit: www.skillscompetencescanada.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tanya Greer, Lead, Strategic Communications, NBCC

tanya.greer@nbcc.ca

(506)440-9105