NWT students compete for Halifax Skills Canada trip

Students from across the Northwest Territories will compete for places at Skills Canada’s national competition at the Yellowknife Multiplex this Friday.

The territorial competition serves as a qualifier for the national competition in Halifax at the end of May.

The top NWT competitors in more than 20 skills – from graphic design to welding to baking – will be invited to attend nationals.

Last year, Inuvik cake specialist Karis Dekwant went on to take the national title in baking for the second year in a row.

Both high school and post-secondary students compete in an “Olympic-style competition” that promotes futures in skilled trades and technology.

At the same time as the skills competition, Skills Canada NWT will also host more than 30 career expo and “try-a-trade” exhibits.

“These activities will allow attendees to experience a variety of trade and technology skills and hopefully spark some interest in learning more,” stated the organization in a news release.

Events this Friday, which are free to attend, take place in the Yellowknife Multiplex’s Ed Jeske and Shorty Brown arenas. The public can attend between 9am and 4pm.

The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday in the Ed Jeske Arena at 7pm, while the award ceremony will be held in the Explorer Hotel’s Katimavik rooms between 6pm and 9pm on Friday.