May 31, 2012
NAIT apprentices qualify to compete against world’s top up-and-coming tradespeople
Five NAIT apprentices are eligible to represent Canada on the world stage at the ‘Olympics’ of trades and technology skills following gold medal wins at the Skills Canada National Competition 2012.
The 42nd annual WorldSkills Competition takes place in Leipzig, Germany in July 2013.
“We are so proud of the accomplishments of our apprentices at the national skills competition, and very excited that five have qualified to compete against the world’s top apprentices,” said Dr. Glenn Feltham, NAIT president and CEO. “The WorldSkills is truly the Olympics of skills, and having a strong NAIT presence at the event reflects tremendously well on the institute and demonstrates the quality of training we provide. Congratulations to all.”
The NAIT apprentices who have qualified for Team Canada are:
- Tyler Kenyon – (Auto Service)
- Bart VanHaaren – (Cabinet Making)
- Tyler Hore (Car Painting)
- Michael Scheideman (Refrigeration)
- Nolan Spak (Sheet metal).
“These individuals will be competing against the world’s best apprentices in Germany next year,” said Peter Lawlor, dean of NAIT’s School of Trades and president of the Skills Canada Alberta board. “Tyler, Bart, Tyler, Michael and Nolan have worked very hard to get to where they are, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”
The last WorldSkills was held in London, England in October 2011. NAIT’s Sean Donnan, an apprentice in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic program, was the only Edmontonian to compete in the international challenge. He finished 12th out of 26 and received a medallion of excellence. Donnan’s coach, Todd Matsuba, associate chair of NAIT’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic program, is also Scheideman’s coach.
The Skills Canada National Competition 2012 – the qualifying event for the world skills competition - was held May 14 to 15 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
Apprenticeship training is the traditional system that incorporates a combination of on-the-job training and four periods of eight-week technical training at NAIT.
About NAIT
NAIT is one of Canada’s leading polytechnics, with almost 80,000 registrations worldwide in key areas including science, technology and the environment, business, health care and trades. Known for real-world education and student success, NAIT also engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world. NAIT enrolled its first students - 29 communication electrician apprentices - in 1962 and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
For more information, please contact:
Frank Landry
NAIT Media Relations
P 780.471.8450 C 780.916.8307 E flandry@nait.ca