Toronto, Ontario -- The air inside the Toronto Congress Centre was thick with the tang of fresh paint, the hum of power tools and the unmistakable buzz of ambition as Ontario’s top autobody and paint students rolled up their sleeves and got to work at the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition.
Held May 5 and 6, the annual competition brings together the province’s most promising trades students for a full-on skills showdown. And if the smell of clearcoat and the sounds of sanding were any indication, this year’s autobody repair and car painting categories were where the action was.
Young competitors were judged on everything from metal straightening to priming technique and masking precision.
The paint booth stayed busy as 13 students worked under pressure to lay down flawless coats, colour match like pros and demonstrate safety practices that would make any shop owner beam with pride. Judges and spectators alike took in the action, admiring the grit and talent of these future pros.
"It's great to see all of our lovely participants competing in automotive painting," said Catherine Matthewson (pictured), the first-time technical chair for the auto paint category at this year's event and a former Skills Canada champion. "I'm really happy about the turnout and amazed by how smoothly this is running. It seems like everyone's really enjoying themselves."
Meanwhile, out on the trade show floor, CARSTAR Canada and Fix Auto Canada brought their A-games.
“We’re proud to participate in the Skills Ontario trade show and have our area manager of operations Kevin Buckwald as a judge to the Auto Body program, supporting skilled trades and the next generation of talent,” said Collin Welsh, Ontario zone director for CARSTAR Canada.
The winners for each category will be announced later this week.
Or click here to check out Collision Repair's photos from the event.
