Local dual-credit high school students achieved high praise and several medals last weekend at a Skills Canada BC regional competition at Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island University campus.
The results came as no surprise to Brooks Secondary School career education coordinator Jim Palm, who said the calibre of students and the instruction they receive is invariably high.
“We always do well,” said Palm. “It’s always good to see our students shine. Our programs are right up there with all the programs in the province.”
The dual-credit program is a partnership between Brooks and VIU that allows high school students to graduate while concurrently completing a VIU trade certification.
High school students from Vancouver Island and Powell River competed in a range of different trades and technology categories; 23 Powell River students represented the community in carpentry, welding, hairdressing, and automotive and TV/video production.
Local competitors won medals in several categories, including a gold medal in carpentry for Konner Koshey and bronze for Jacob McDonald in the same category. Hairdressing student Eden Bourcier and welding student Zachery Forsyth won silver medals. Filmmaking has yet to be judged; six competitors from Powell River entered that category.
Hairdressing instructor Leah Babcock said the students she took to the competition were consummate professionals.
“They definitely shined on the weekend,” said Babcock. “All three girls did extremely well and I’m very proud of them.”
In each competition students were given a task and time limit to complete it. Competitors were marked on different elements, including safe work practices, technique and final results. Carpentry competitors each constructed a doghouse while hairdressers had five hours to complete two separate tasks.
Learning she had placed silver in her category was a complete shock, said Bourcier.
“I was super intimidated by everybody else,” she said. “I went with other girls who had put in just as much practice and dedication as I had. I was honoured.”
Next for Koshey is the opportunity to compete in the 24th annual provincial competition, held April 18, at the Tradex in Abbotsford.
Students who win gold at provincials earn the chance to compete in the Skills Canada national competition on June 4 and 5 in Edmonton.
