Okanagan College Media Release
If the future of our region is dependent on a skilled workforce, the Okanagan is in good shape. Nearly a dozen Okanagan College trades and technology students have returned home after podium finishes at the BC Skills Canada competition, held earlier this month in Abbotsford.
The College earned 11 medals (three gold, four silver and four bronze) in a series of timed high-pressure skills competitions ranging from Automotive Collision Repair to IT Network Systems Administration.
“I’m extremely proud of the results of our students,” said Jim Hamilton, President of Okanagan College. “The Skills BC competition is a great measure of how our students perform in the real world. They are faced with hands-on applied challenges and are given a set amount of time to make repairs, trouble shoot and come up with relevant solutions. The medals are evidence of our students’ skills and the great instruction they receive.”
Winners of the provincial competition are eligible to compete at the nationals, held in June in Toronto. The Okanagan College students who will represent the province in Toronto are: Vernon’s Dominique Zimmermann, gold in Aircraft Maintenance; Kelowna’s Ken Anderson, gold in Automotive Service; and James Webber, gold in Electronics, also from Kelowna.
For the second year in a row Okanagan College swept the Electronic Engineering competition, taking all three podium spots. It’s the third year the College has competed in this category; each year students from the program have returned with medals. The College earned gold, silver and bronze in 2013 and took home a silver and bronze in 2012.
“I am really excited to support Dominique at the national competition,” said AME M instructor and coach Dale Martell. “After winning the provincial competition I’m feeling very confident about how he’ll do in Toronto. We’ve been sending students to the Skills competition for three years and are yet to return without medals. Dominique and Derek are no exception. They are both great students who can work independently and will be a huge asset to the industry.”
Other medalists include: Derek Volling, Aircraft Maintenance (bronze); Russell Relling, Automotive Collision Repair (silver); Jay Kendrick, Automotive Collision Repair (bronze); Nick Spottock, Automotive Service (bronze); Christopher Dalton, Carpentry (silver); Josh Wams, Electronics (silver); Alex Pelton, Electronics (bronze); Bryer Edwards, IT Network Systems Administration (silver).
The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.
Previous Stories
- Scientists assess paths toward maintaining BC caribou until habitat recovers Apr 19
- BC interior universities extend collaboration to advance research, innovation Apr 18
- "Peachland Andrews" team triumphs at UBCO's revived Live Case Challenge Apr 18
- Is climate change a time for ingenuity or urgent action? Apr 17
- Exceptional faculty members celebrated as 2024's Researchers of the Year Apr 16
- "Breast is best" but often isn't the easiest option to feed a newborn Apr 15
- Diabetes prevention program rolls out across Canada Apr 10
- Major gift from BMO to support community progress is worth smiling about Apr 9
- Enactus Okanagan College shines at regional competition?? Apr 4
- Unleash your potential: Okanagan College invites community to "Try a Trade" Apr 3
- UBCO to present three honorary degrees at spring graduation ceremonies Apr 2
- Virtual rehabilitation provides benefits for stroke recovery Mar 28
© 2024 Castanet.net