Ottawa, Ontario – Skills Canada's Provincial Competitions are in full swing. Manitoba has its results, while Alberta and Ontario begin their competitions in the first week of May.
Post-secondary winners will compete at the Regina, Sask., Skills Canada National Competition from May 29 to 30, 2025.
For the post-secondary level, Manitoba's winners were:
- Gold: Renz Medida
- Silver: Jamie Stephen
- Bronze Samantha Christianson
On the secondary level, Manitoba declared the following winners:
- Gold: Cole Cocquyt
- Silver: John Rylen Funk
Ontario will host its own Skills Canada Provincials at the Toronto Congress Centre on May 6, with closing ceremonies on May 7. Alberta will host its own Provincials on May 7 and May 8.
The Skills Canada Provincial Competitions celebrate the talent and dedication of students and apprentices in skilled trades and technologies. Held annually across the country, these hands-on events feature competitions in a multitude of crafts, like carpentry, robotics, culinary arts, graphic design and, of course, autobody repair and refinishing.
Participants demonstrate their expertise in real-world scenarios, with gold medalists advancing nationally.
"Pictures like the below image are why we all do this," said Bill Speed, a former Toronto District School Board autobody teacher with 33 years of experience with Skills Canada. Speed has also been a designated WorldSkills Expert since 2017.
"Seeing the smiles on competitors' faces when they love what they do, accept the challenges we put in front of them, learn from mistakes they may have made and come back the next year to try it again. It’s this passion that the industry needs. It is sad that more shops don’t know about Skills and the type of potential that our youth have.
"They just need exposure from middle school, through high school and post-secondary to the Skilled Trades as a first-choice career."
Beyond competition, students explore careers through interactive Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities, connecting with industry leaders and educators. These competitions promote excellence, inspire career pathways, and strengthen Canada’s future workforce by bridging the gap between education and employment in high-demand skilled trade and technology sectors.
For more information, please visit www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/provincial-and-territorial-competitions.
