Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — March 20, 2017 — Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Auto Body Technician Program recently held its 16th Annual Skills Competition. The competition consisted of repairs to a controlled, pre-dented panel. Participants in the competition were from the Pre-Employment certificate students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Saskatoon campus.
The students had 2.5 hours to repair, cold fill, and prepare the panel for primer surfacer. Judging was done by representatives of local autobody shops: Rob Keet of Speedy Collision in Martensville, Brayden Neufeld of Parr Auto Body in Saskatoon and Murray Wedewer of Novakoski Quality Collision in Saskatoon.
The judges were provided with a marking form and criteria with a points system for each competitor. At the end of the competition, the points are tallied from all judges to determine the winner. The winner in this year’s competition was Lyndon Reddekopp with a total of 240 points out of a possible 255. Second place was closely contested and was won by Delbert Dreaver, beating out the third place competitor by only ten points with 190.
First prize was a Westward top and bottom chest filled with tools, a value of $1,500. The second prize was a 155-piece Westward socket and ratchet set, a value of $250. The prizes were donated co-operatively between three parties: Saskatoon Auto Body Association (SABA), Westward Tools and Sutherland Automotive.
The competition was attended by shop owners, technicians and suppliers to the collision repair industry. In addition to the action during the competition itself, attendees also had the opportunity able to check out the project vehicles students are currently working on and the repair skills they have acquired.
“It’s a great way for industry and student to connect and possibly enter into an employment opportunity,” says Darryl Tomyn of Sutherland Automotive. “The competition also helps shows the students that both industry and suppliers are committed to education and supporting new autobody technicians in Saskatchewan.”
For more information on Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Auto Body programs, please visit saskpolytech.ca/about/school-of-transportation.
