The philosophy of Skills Canada competitions is to
- reward students for excellence
- provide a forum for industry and education to work together in evaluating student performance
- keep training relevant to employers’ needs.
Skills Canada events are also the largest showcase of trade and technology occupations in the province, providing visitors with a chance to access current labour market information, talk to career education professionals, and view the competitions live.
Said Anne Kadwell, HortEducation.ca CEO, “Events like Skills Canada are what will drive youth to the horticulture industry, and propel it as our workforce ages. Seeing trades in action in this format piques the interest of creative, active, young people, and gives them a taste of the career potential available to them. It’s perhaps the best tool we have for attracting landscape professionals now and securing a workforce for the long run.”
On April 21st, 2010 teams from Camosun College and Kwantlen Polytechnic University competed in the ‘Landscape Gardening’ category. Cheyne Mackie and Cameron Best from Kwantlen Polytechnic University took gold; Elliot Lewis-Lifton and Maggie Angus from Camosun College took silver.
Thank you to the Sponsors
- Brandt Tractor Ltd.
- Burnco Rock Products
- Golden Spruce Nurseries
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply
- West Creek Farms
Thank you to the Volunteers
- Brian Huttema, Mijodelu Landscaping & Renovations
- Jerry Ingram, RCB Garden Service
- Matt Vandenberg, Vandenburg’s Landscape Design
- Mike Vandergugten, Higher Ground Landscaping
See below for photos from the 2010 competition.