Ben Rainforth (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Lyon, France - Sept. 10-15, 2024

Red Deer Polytechnic apprentice to represent Canada at World Skills Competition

Aug 28, 2024 | 2:51 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) apprentice Ben Rainforth has been selected by Skills Canada to compete at the WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France from September 10-15, 2024.

Officials say Rainforth qualified for the competition by being the highest scoring age-eligible competitor in welding at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition. It was there where officials say Rainforth won the RBC Best of Region Award and received $1,500 towards his education and career in the trades.

The WorldSkills Competition, held every two years, is expected to welcome 1,500 competitors from over 60 member countries and regions competing in over 60 Skills Areas for the prestigious title of world champion in their respective trade. According to officials, Rainforth will be competing in the Welding Competition.

For Rainforth, this won’t his first time at the Worldskills Competition, as officials note he attended as a spectator when the competition was held in Calgary 15 years ago. This time, he will have people attending the event to watch him.

“I attended the 2009 WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, thanks to my Grandpa who had a big educational presence in the trades,” said Rainforth. “When I learned I’ll be competing at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, it felt pretty incredible and a little surreal. It has been a long road to get here, and it’s such a proud and humbling moment for me and everyone that has been involved to get me to this incredible achievement.”

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“Nerves and adrenaline will be my two main concerns at the WorldSkills Competition,” adds Rainforth. “It’s hard to weld when your hands are shaking. I’m looking forward to representing Canada on the world stage.”

Officials note the WorldSkills Competition looks to inspire youth to discover the many interesting careers that are available in the skilled trade and technology sectors. Throughout the Competition, stakeholders from industry, government, and education are provided with the opportunity to exchange information and best practices regarding industry and professional education at networking events and thought-provoking conferences.

“I grew up on a farm, so the trades always seemed like a good option for me,” says Rainforth. “My dad was a welder, so he’d fix everything on the farm, and I’d be there to watch. Once I took shop classes in high school, I knew welding was the trade for me.”

“There are many elements I enjoy about welding including always learning and improving my skills,” explains Rainforth. “I am looking forward to competing at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition, in Lyon and seeing what opportunities present themselves after that.”

Officials say Team Canada will be sending 28 skilled trade students and apprentices from across the country to represent Canada. The 47th WorldSkills Competition will take place at Eurexpo Lyon in front of approximately 250,000 spectators.

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