Toronto to Host the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) Sign on as Presenting Sponsors

OTTAWA, Oct. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Skills/Compétences Canada, a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, today announced that Canada's top skilled trade and technology students, along with government representatives, industry leaders, trainers and educators, will gather in Toronto at the International Centre from June 4-7, 2014 for the 20^th annual Skills Canada National Competition. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) have signed on as Presenting Sponsors.

The event attracts hundreds of students from all provinces and territories, and features at least 40 unique skilled trade competitions in the categories of Construction, Employment, Information & Technology, Manufacturing, Service, and Transportation. It is the only event of its kind where young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology can be tested against exacting industry standards and vie for the honor of being named the best in their chosen discipline. Competitors will also be aiming for a coveted spot on WorldSkills Team Canada 2015, heading next to WorldSkills São Paolo 2015, in Brazil.

"Our Government is committed to fixing the skills mismatch in Canada where we have too many Canadians without jobs and too many jobs without Canadians," said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism. "We are proud to partner with Skills Canada to promote the skilled trades as a great opportunity for Canadian youth.  Together we can attract more youth to a rewarding career in the skilled trades."

"Industry faces new and emerging challenges resulting from the growing shortage of skilled workers. Ensuring we have the right people with the right skills is critical to the success of oil and gas projects," said Geraldine Anderson, Media Spokesperson for CAPP. "We need to continue to work with organizations such as Skills Canada to attract more young Canadians into the skilled trades and provide more employment-based training opportunities. The Skills Canada National Competition highlights this important issue and CAPP is proud to provide support again, in 2014."

"UA Canada is the biggest supporter of skills development and trade certification anywhere and we are proudly supporting Skills Canada 2014," said Larry Slaney, Director of Canadian Training for UA. "We believe it is truly the best program available to promote trades training careers ‎to Canadians and we share their vision.‎ We want to thank the staff at Skills Canada for all of their hard work and dedication in helping young people find their future career in the trades through their excellent provincial and national events and outreach programs for youth."

The Skills Canada National Competition provides employment-based and experiential learning opportunities for students, school groups and the public. From construction, mobile robotics and cabinet making, to fashion technology, mechatronics and aircraft maintenance, young career-seekers and visitors can try their hand at a skilled trade in the interactive Try-a-Trade® and Technology activities. Networking opportunities with employers and recruiters, industry associations, labor groups, training institutes and government partners are also available.

For more information on the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition visit www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/programs/skills-canada-national-competition/toronto-2014 or http://www.youtube.com/user/SkillsCanadaOfficial

About CAPP
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) represents companies, large and small, that explore for, develop and produce natural gas and crude oil throughout Canada. CAPP's member companies produce about 90 per cent of Canada's natural gas and crude oil. CAPP's associate members provide a wide range of services that support the upstream crude oil and natural gas industry. Together CAPP's members and associate members are an important part of a national industry with revenues of about $100 billion a year. CAPP's mission is to enhance the economic sustainability of the Canadian upstream petroleum industry in a safe and environmentally and socially responsible manner, through constructive engagement and communication with governments, the public and stakeholders in the communities in which we operate.

About UA
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada - commonly known as "UA" - is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems. Founded in 1889, UA continues to be one of the most respected and influential building trades unions in North America. Its 326,000 highly-skilled members belong to over 300 individual local unions. In Canada, the association serves 51,000 members, including about 9,000 apprentices, through 37 local union offices across the country. UA Canada represents eight major trade classifications including: steamfitter-pipefitter, sprinkler systems installer, plumber, metal trades workers, instrumentation technicians and mechanics, pipe welder, heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, and specialty certified workers in all areas of the piping industry. UA is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario.

About Skills/Compétences Canada
Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping young people and aspiring apprentices discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs. Many programs highlight digital and essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today.  Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information about Skills/Compétences Canada visit www.skillscanada.com, or call 877-754-5226.

Follow Skills/Compétences Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. 

SOURCE: Skills/Compétences Canada