By rdnewsNOW staff

RDC celebrates Skills Canada award winning students

Nov 1, 2018 | 6:10 PM

Red Deer College celebrated the success of several of its apprenticeship students by honouring them for their achievements at Skills Canada competitions in 2018.

“Supporting our students and encouraging their learning and development is both the motivation and the reward for what we do every day,” says Joel Gingrich, Dean of RDC’s School of Trades and Technologies. “Students who participate in Skills Canada competitions have a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise beyond their program learning as they prepare for and compete in competitions. It’s a rewarding experience for the students and their coaches, and we are so proud of all of our apprenticeship students who dedicate their time and effort to these provincial and national events.”

“We want to provide opportunities for students to learn, while also demonstrating their excellence in trades and technologies,” says Chris Browton, Executive Director of Skills Canada Alberta. “Our competitions provide the venue for apprentices to compete at the highest level, while also developing a range of skills and making connections that will benefit them in their futures. This helps to raise the profile and open everyone’s eyes to the potential for skilled apprentices.”

Of the RDC seven students who were honoured at Thursday’s banner raising ceremony, three will be vying for spots on Team Canada, looking for a chance to represent our nation at WorldSkills 2019 in Russia. Eric Koster, Electrical Installations, and Justin Meldrum, Welder, each earned gold at the 2018 Skills Canada National Competition. Taylor McCallum, Plumbing, will be joining them at the WorldSkills Team Canada Selection event in Halifax in 2019, after being named one of the top two age-eligible (22 and under) competitors at Nationals.

In addition to the current students’ successes, RDC has a strong history at Skills Canada competitions. The banner raising event also acknowledged 41 alumni who have received medals at Provincial and National Skills Canada events since 2008.

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The following apprenticeship students were recognized for their success at the 2018 Skills Canada Alberta Provincial Competition:

• Gold medalists:
– Taylor McCallum, Plumbing
– Tom Friesen, Sprinkler Systems
– Eric Koster, Electrical Installations – also the Gold Medalist at the 2018 Skills Canada National Competition
– Justin Meldrum, Welding –also the Gold Medalist at the 2018 Skills Canada National Competition

• Silver medalists:
– Philemon Germaine Electrical Installations
– Duston Mickle, Sprinkler Systems

• Bronze medalist:
– Josiah Pilon, Carpentry

(With file from RDC media release)