Team NWT/Nunavut sets new medal record
at 2005 Canadian Skills Competition
(Edmonton, Alberta - June 2-5, 2005)

What a week it's been for Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut… less than a week after their Web Design competitor Chris Fournier was crowned world champion in Helsinki, Finland, the 2005 version of Team NWT/NU put forth a record breaking performance at the Canadian Skills Competition in Edmonton, Alberta.

Team NWT/NU returns from the Canadian Skills Competition in Edmonton with much more than when they left: eight medals and a tonne of national competition experience. From June 3rd to 5th , 24 youth from throughout the NWT and Nunavut participated in 20 trades and technological contests at the 10th Annual Canadian Skills Competition.

The previous best for the team was a seven-medal performance in 2003. 2005 marks the first year that the team earned multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals. The capacity of the team continues to build and it speaks volumes for NWT/NU educational institutions and industry.

This year's results are as follows:

Click here to see photos from the Canadian Skills Competition

"One third of our competitors claimed medals and the remainder of the team had multiple top five finishes, proving that their skills rank among the top in Canada ,” expressed Guy Barnable, Executive Director of Skills Canada NWT/NU. “All competitors put forth determined, respectable efforts and their coaches are to share credit for the results”, said an elated Barnable. “Our competitors are taking their competitions more seriously every year. They show great pride and a genuine desire to improve their skills”. Increased emphasis on trades and technological careers, improved trades education and training, and effective northern apprenticeship programs are also to be credited.

Iqaluit competitor Lauren Solski, in describing her performance put it best, “We always strive to improve our skills and we believe that we can always do better”. That is the attitude that got Solski to this stage and helped her claim the gold.

Aaron Morrison performed wonderfully and was confident entering the awards ceremony. Proudly donning his gold medal Morrison stated “This has been an amazing experience! I plan on a management career in the hospitality industry and this is a very valuable learning experience.”.

Fort Smith's Reg Evans, now a two-time national medal winner, competed confidently and represented his territory and employer, Finning Canada, valiantly. “I nailed the tests on Caterpillar equipment. My previous experience at the competition was definitely and asset,” said Evans. He was excited with the silver medal win, racing to the stage while waiving the territorial flag. “I'm sure to get some ribbing from the guys at work because of this… but it's worth it!”, grinned a proud Evans.

Aircraft Maintenance bronze medalist Mark Roberts was shocked at the announcement of his medal win. Wide eyed and visibly astonished, Roberts said, “I knew I did ok but I didn't realize I did that well. I want to get back here next year to try it again”.

The team of Miranda Booth and Morgan Barrett were emotional as they achieved the goal they had set for themselves. Their combination of wide smiles and tears spoke volumes as the normally-chatty girls were speechless. “It has been a great experience to rub shoulders with other young people who are so great at other trades and technologies. We're proud to have won while representing our territory, Skills Canada NWT/NU, and Sir John Franklin High School”, claimed Barrett later.

Mandy Lyons continued her winning ways, capturing silver in Prepared Speech. “This was my last year of eligibility and my goal was a 1st or 2nd place finish. I'm glad I achieved it. I plan to get involved at the judging level with Skills Canada so I can contribute something back.”.

A man of few words, Electrical Wiring bronze medalist Matt Fraser was glowing following the awards ceremony. “I thought I did pretty well… I guess I was right.”. Matt's medal win proved that Skills Canada judges value quality work above anything else.

Ashley Tufts of Iqaluit, was delighted with her silver medal and proud of the fact that she was bringing home a medal to Nunavut. “At the beginning of the competition I was a bit nervous and intimidated, but as time passed my ‘customers' were really encouraging and complimentary. It's wicked!”.

All Team NWT/NU competitors made impressive showings and were very pleased with their performance on the competitive national stage. Eliane Kanayuk-Gabriel's Cooking performance was much improved this year and she handled herself very well. “I love the Skills Canada competitions. It reinforced my decision to take NAIT's Culinary program next year.”.

Second-time Small Powered Equipment competitor, Kyle Wheaton, reported that “the competition was much like last year, except this year I benefited from experience and more knowledge. I'm not completely familiar with Yamaha motors but the basic small motor is the same for any machine. I wish they had given us snowmobiles to work on!“ .

Barnable emphasized that, “The performance of each and every Team NWT/NU competitor has been truly inspiring. They exhibited maturity, perseverance, class, and true northern pride and spirit. Our team advisors and National Tech Chairs were vital to our success. All northerners can be tremendously proud of the impact that our team made on this competition.”.

Hosted on an annual basis, the Canadian Skills Competition is Canada's largest national multi-trade and technology competition for Canadian students and apprentices. It profiles careers in skilled trades and technologies to in a positive light for students, parents, and educators. This year's event attracted over 350 secondary and post-secondary students from across Canada to compete in over 40 Olympic-style practical challenges that showcase their technical and leadership abilities in the areas of communications, construction trades, employment, manufacturing, transportation, and services.

The Canadian Skills Competition is eagerly anticipated by students, educators, industry and the general public. This event serves several purposes. It provides:

• An opportunity for youth, studying a trade or technology, to demonstrate and showcase their skills in and to challenge themselves in a competitive public arena.
• A venue to raise awareness and to profile the trades and technologies in a positive light for youth, parents and educators.
• An opportunity for industry and labour to share their expertise, knowledge and industry standards through sponsorship, technical chair and judging positions.

The Canadian Skills Competition, held under the supervision of the Skills/Compétences Canada, is the first stage in building Team Canada for the World Skills Competition. The 2006 Canadian Skills Competition in Halifax was the qualifying competition for the 2007 World Skills Competition.