Students from Holland College earned top honours at the recent Skills Canada PEI Provincial Competitions, receiving medals across a wide range of skilled trades and technology categories.
The annual competitions were held over several weeks at Holland College campuses, with 280 students and apprentices competing in 35 competitions across 19 disciplines at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. An additional 350 high school students attended as spectators during the Industry Expo and competitions held at the Summerside Waterfront Campus.
Tawna MacLeod, Executive Director of Skills Canada PEI, said the competitions provide students with valuable opportunities to demonstrate their skills and gain hands-on experience.
"These competitions highlight the talent, dedication and technical ability of students across the province. They also play an important role in preparing participants for careers in skilled trades and technologies," she said.
Holland College students achieved strong results in multiple post-secondary disciplines, earning gold medals in areas including 3D Game Art, Architectural Technology, Baking, Cooking, Electrical Installations, Graphic Design, Industrial Control, IT Office Software Solutions, and Mechatronics.
The competitions are designed to reflect real-world industry standards, requiring participants to complete practical tasks within a limited timeframe. Many of the competitions are developed and overseen by college instructors to ensure alignment with current workforce expectations.
"These competitions are widely recognized by industry, and many companies now ask potential employees if they have participated," MacLeod said.
Top competitors from the provincial event have been selected to join Team PEI and will advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto this May. The team includes 18 college students and 17 high school students.
The College will also be well represented at a national level by 19 college instructors who serve on national technical committees to help facilitate and support event delivery.
An awards ceremony and medal presentation was held at Florence Simmons Hall on the Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown. A total of 110 medals were presented during the event, which drew over 300 attendees to celebrate student success.
For more information about Skills Canada PEI, visit the SkillsCanada PEI website.
For information about programs at Holland College, visit Hollandcollege.com
For more information
140 Weymouth Street
Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
Canada C1A 4Z1
www.hollandcollege.com
