Okanagan College (OC) students displayed their excellence competing against their peers across the province with an impressive showing at the prestigious 2025 Skills Canada BC Provincial Competition. In all, Team OC earned nine medals across science and technology, business, and a range of trades disciplines including three golds, four silvers and two bronzes.
Skills Provincials IT Office Software Medallists 2025
Hosted at the Abbotsford Trade and Exhibition Centre on April 16, the Skills Canada competition brought together top students and apprentices from across British Columbia to compete in hands-on, timed challenges designed to mirror real-world work environments.
For competitors like Sydney Wolfenden, a collision repair student and silver medallist in car painting, the path to the podium required focus and a steady hand. "We had to match colours perfectly, apply precise masking techniques, and complete a full refinishing job within strict time constraints," Wolfenden shared. "It's exactly the attention to detail that employers are looking for, and this competition really validates the skills that I've developed at OC."
Another silver medallist, Mitchel Poole, infrastructure and computing technology student said it was a great event. "It was rewarding to be so thoroughly challenged and to see that all my hard work learning from my superb professors in the ICT program earned me the silver podium," said Poole.
Okanagan College hosts the Skills Regionals each year with winners advancing on to the provincials. Other OC medal winners include:
- Chad Colton - automotive service - Silver
- David Cowan - IT office software solutions - Gold (advancing to Skills Canada Nationals)
- Amy Dwyer - IT office software solutions - Silver
- Mark Holowachuk - sheet metal - Gold (advancing to Skills Canada Nationals)
- Kailey Marcinowski - IT office software solutions - Bronze
- Vladyslav Myko - autobody repair - Gold (advancing to Skills Canada Nationals)
- Mitchel Poole - IT network systems administration - Silver
- Jaxson Provencher - refrigeration - Bronze
- Sydney Wolfenden - car painting - Silver
In addition, dual credit students (who earn both high school and college credits simultaneously) representing OC and their secondary schools also stood out:
- Ryder Starling (Rutland Senior Secondary) - cabinetmaking - Gold (advancing to Skills Canada Nationals)
- Merrick James Oler (Mount Boucherie Secondary) - cabinetmaking - Bronze
The gold medallists advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg this June, where they'll compete against provincial champions from across the country.
"Competitions like Skills Canada reflect the dedication and drive of OC students, as well as the exceptional mentorship they receive from their instructors," said Stephen Spears, dean of trades and apprenticeship at OC. "Behind each medal is a story of countless hours of preparation, hands-on practice, and unwavering support."
Spears continued, "This bodes well for OC students as demand for skilled trades and technology professionals in B.C. continues to grow. The recent B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2024-2034) forecasts thousands of job openings in in-demand trades like refrigeration and air conditioning, construction, and carpentry as well as in the computer systems design and related services industry."
For more information on trades and apprenticeship programs at Okanagan College, visit okanagan.bc.ca/trades.
For more information about technology programs at Okanagan College, visit okanagan.bc.ca/technologies.
