For the second year in a row, Kylar Bloomberg (third year, Plumber Apprentice) has earned silver at Skills Canada. The national competition was held May 29 and 30 in Regina, Sask.
Kylar competing at Skills Canada competition
Bloomberg will now go on to represent Canada at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, as the gold-medal winner does not meet the age requirement.
"Getting the chance to represent Canada at WorldSkills is an honour," says Bloomberg, "I'm so grateful to everyone that helped me get here, and I'm ready to put in the work and make the most of it."
Bloomberg is coached by Jeremy Bridge, Lethbridge Polytechnic Plumbing instructor and Skills Canada plumbing skills expert. Bridge trains each Canadian plumbing competitor as part of his role with Skills Canada.
"While Kylar continues to work and gain experience leading up to the competition, we still have lots to train for," says Bridge. "Asia offers challenges in terms of materials and tools that we don't see in North America, so we have lots of variables to consider."
Every second year of the Skills Canada competition serves as a qualifier for WorldSkills.
"It is almost coming full circle, with Kylar's employer - Justin Fischer, who runs Simpson Plumbing - having gone to WorldSkills in 2018," says Sheldon Anderson, dean, Centre for Trades and Technologies. "Between Jeremy and Justin, Kylar has all the support he needs to compete at his best next year."
Bridge adds that Lethbridge Polytechnic is punching above its weight in producing some of the country's top skilled trades competitors.
"There's something about learning a trade in southern Alberta that transitions well on the national competition stage," says Bridge. "We have such a variety of work, experience and employers willing to train apprentices that enable them to succeed in these massive competitions. Plus, having great competitors like Kylar, who have an eagerness to learn, cannot be overstated."
Bloomberg will compete at WorldSkills in September 2026.
