At its annual Building on Excellence event held November 19, Red Deer Polytechnic recognized a talented group of apprentices who demonstrated top-tier knowledge and abilities at Skills competitions during the past year.
Left to right : Chris Browton, Executive Director, Skills Canada Alberta; David Pye, Dean, School of Trades and Technology at RDP; Carson Donovan (Steamfitter/Pipefitter), silver medalist at Skills Canada Alberta; Lucas Stang (Welding), gold medalist at both the Skills Canada Alberta and Skills Canada National competitions; Miles Alger (Heavy Vehicle Technology), bronze medalist at Skills Canada Alberta; Lindsay Engel, Vice President, Academic and Student Experience at RDP
In 2025, Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices achieved two gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the Skills Canada Alberta competition in Edmonton. Lucas Stang (Welding) also earned gold at the Skills Canada National competition in Regina.
Stang's win adds to Red Deer Polytechnic's remarkable legacy in welding, marking the sixth national gold medal in seven years for its apprentices, which is a powerful reflection of the program's national stature. Stang, who was trained by RDP Welding Instructor Lee Yasinski, qualified to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China which will be held in September 2026.
"We were honoured to come together as a Polytechnic community, alongside industry partners, alumni and supporters, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of RDP apprentices at Skills competitions," says David Pye, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology, Red Deer Polytechnic. "Their continued success is a testament to the skill and commitment of our instructors, as well as the high-calibre, industry- aligned education and training offered at RDP, strengthened through collaboration with employers."
Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices continue to rank among the top post-secondary achievers across Alberta and Canada. Since 2003, the Polytechnic's apprentices have incredibly earned a total of 94 medals at Skills Canada Alberta Provincial and Skills Canada National competitions, along with WorldSkills.
"This gathering was both a celebration of the achievements of Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices and a moment to express our gratitude to employees and industry collaborators for their vital role in shaping our learners," says Lindsay Engel, Vice President of Academic and Student Experience, Red Deer Polytechnic. "These partnerships are key to preparing skilled trades professionals, meeting workforce needs and driving Alberta's productivity."
The next Post-Secondary Skills Canada Alberta competition will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre May 6 and 7, 2026.
As the third-largest provider of skilled trades in Alberta, RDP is currently educating and training more than 1,600 apprentices in the post-secondary institution's 17 Apprenticeship programs.
Learn more at: rdpolytech.ca/trades.
Here is a summary of the achievements by Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices at Skills competitions in 2025:
Skills Canada National
- Gold medal - Lucas Stang, Welding
Skills Canada Alberta
- Gold medal - Adam Moore, Sprinkler Systems Installations
- Gold medal - Lucas Stang, Welding
- Silver medal - Carson Donovan, Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Silver medal - Tyler Hagstrom, Sprinkler Systems Installations
- Silver medal - Riley Jacobs, Carpentry
- Bronze medal - Miles Alger, Heavy Vehicle Technology
- Bronze medal - Tyson Bucklaschuk, Plumbing
- Bronze medal - Lucas Drage, Sprinkler Systems Installer
- Bronze medal - Simon Pell, Electrical Installations
