SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC
Sask Polytech students capture gold at Skills Canada competition

Image Credit: Skills Canada Saskatchewan

Competing at the Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec City in May was nerve-racking, exciting and rewarding for Saskatchewan Polytechnic students Jorda Thomas and Jacob Murphy.

"My lack of competition experience fueled my nervousness. It didn't go away until after the award ceremony," says Murphy, a student in the Design and Manufacturing Engineering Technology (DMET) program. The magnitude of the event was surprising to him, likening it to the Olympics of skilled trades and technologies.

Over 550 students from across Canada competed in 45 skills areas. Five Sask Polytech students medalled including Thomas and Murphy who both captured gold.

Thomas, a Graphic Communications student, rigorously prepared for the competition but admits the first day fazed her. "I wasn't prepared for the immense amount of content within each project," she says. The first day of the Graphic Design Technology competition required participants to complete three design projects for Quebec's aquarium within a six-hour time frame.

Leaning on her experience in practice sessions and knowledge gained in class at Sask Polytech, she was able to refocus for the second day. "I am truly appreciative of all that my instructors taught me and the support provided by my advisor, Roxanne Symon," notes Thomas. Symon, an instructor and Sask Polytech alumnus was in a unique position to help Thomas prepare as she has also competed at the Skills Canada national event.

For Murphy, the event was just as challenging. In the Mechanical Engineering CAD competition, participants had to complete four projects in three hours each. Projects required proficiency in design and drafting plus knowledge of fundamental engineering principles. "The DMET program at Sask Polytech was critical to my success at Skills Canada. Without the guidance and support of my instructors, I wouldn't have performed the way I did in Quebec City," he says.

Now that their nerves have settled and the competition concluded, both students are incredibly grateful for the experience and passionate about their futures in their chosen fields. "While I'm happy with my performance, there's still a lot of learning to do before I'm as proficient as I want to be," says Murphy. "I would highly encourage anybody that is passionate about a skilled trade to try a Skills competition."

"From the overall experience, I learned to embrace the journey including the detours. It was an honour to represent my province in Quebec City and bring home a gold medal," Thomas adds. "Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Most definitely."

Thomas was also awarded the RBC Best of Region Award for Saskatchewan which is given to the competitor with the best weighted score from each province and territory.

"We at Skills Canada Saskatchewan are proud of all of your hard work and dedication to your craft," says Krystal Nieckar, Skills Canada Saskatchewan executive director. "We understand the time and energy you've put into preparing for this competition and into realising your goals. We at SCS are very privileged to be right there with you on this journey! Congratulations!"

Congratulations to all the Sask Polytech students who participated and medalled at the event.

Students interested in competing in Skills Canada Saskatchewan can reach out to their instructor or visit skillscanadasask.com.