Yellowknife's Chris Fournier can add a new title to his collection: “world's best young web designer”. Chris captured Gold in Web Design at the 2005 World Skills Competition in Helsinki, Finland!
Chris is the poster-boy of Skills Canada NWT/NU: a committed graduate of the Skills Canada Web Page Design Skills Club and four-time NWT/NU champion. He began with Skills Canada NWT/NU in 2000, honed his skills in our Web Design Skills Club, and won Gold at the Territorial Level four times. Last year, he won Gold at the Canadian Skills Competition and qualified to become the first northerner to represent Canada at the World Skills Competition. Chris just completed his first year of Software Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa and all year has been training for the World Skills Competition. Special thanks to his volunteer Skills Club instructor Debbie Winsor and Diavik Diamond Mines who supported his participation. Major credit goes to Chris's family as well as Sir John Franklin High School.
Chris competed against Web Designers from 15 other countries, most of whom have more training in the field. During the competition it was said that Chris was having a great time and felt good about his performance… quite the understatement.
“On behalf of Skills Canada NWT/NU, I find myself repeatedly congratulating Chris on each his achievements. I congratulate him again on his win at the Worlds. We are proud to have been part of his successes”, expressed Skills Canada NWT/NU President Mark Plouffe.
Team Canada captured five medals in total, two of them Gold. (See below). To check out just how big a deal Chris's win is, the World Skills Competition website is: http://www.wsc2005helsinki.com/
Chris Fournier (NWT) - Trade 17 (Web design): Gold
Caroline Faucher (QC) - Trade 40 (Graphic Design): Gold
Menno Vanderlist (AB) - Trade 39 (IT PC/Network Support): Silver
Catherine Guillet (QC) - Trade 32 (Confection/Pastry): Silver
Katy Desroches (QC) - Trade 30 (Aesthetics): Bronze
Fournier is a lifelong resident of Yellowknife and recent graduate of Sir John Franklin High School and g randson of past Yellowknife mayor, Robert Findlay. He credits his summer job with the GNWT as a great source of preparation for the World Skills Competition.
When asked prior to the competition how he was feeling, Chris replied “To be honest, I'm feeling pretty nervous. I just can't wait for the competition to begin so that I can put my nervous energy to use.”. That intensity earned him Gold at the international level.
Skills Canada NWT/NU Executive Director, Guy Barnable, emphasized that, “Chris's dedication to preparation and performance is truly inspiring. He exhibits maturity, perseverance, class, and true northern pride and spirit while maintaining humility. All northerners will be tremendously proud of the impression Chris has left on the world stage. We are so happy to have provided a playing field for Chris and his skills”.
Hosted every second year, the World Skills Competition is the largest international multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices. It profiles careers in skilled trades and technologies to in a positive light for students, parents, and educators. The 2005 event attracted over 800 youth from 40 countries to compete in 34 Olympic-style practical challenges that showcase their technical and leadership abilities in the areas of communications, construction trades, employment, manufacturing, transportation, and services. The 2009 World Skills Competition will be held in Calgary, Alberta.
Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technology to Canadian youth. Unfilled jobs requiring skilled trades-people in the north will balloon over the next decade. Skills Canada is aiming to close this gap by attracting more young Canadians to careers in skilled trades and technology.
June 2, 2005