UCDSB Secondary School Students Put Their Skills to the Test, Compete in Welding and Carpentry Competitions
In both competitions, the Grade 11 and 12 students received a diagram and instructions of what they would be constructing and the steps to build it, all while up against the clock. In the welding competition, students welded and ground several pieces of metal together to create a multi-level box. While in the construction competition, students measured, cut, and built a planter box. In both competitions, industry professionals observed the students’ technical abilities and offered feedback on their work.
“The qualifying competition is an excellent way for students to put their skills to the test, demonstrate what they’ve learned to date, and build their confidence,” says Lauren Levac, a UCDSB Student Success Learning Partner and lead on this event. “It also allows students to network with industry professionals and get valuable feedback from judges. We're proud of all our students who participated in the qualifying competition and impressed by the level of talent and dedication they showed. We look forward to seeing them continue to succeed in the skilled trades.”
The UCDSB's SHSM program is designed to provide secondary school students with hands-on learning opportunities in a specific sector. The numerous program opportunities across all secondary schools help students gain industry-recognized certifications, develop essential skills, and make valuable connections in their chosen fields.
Stephen Stanzel, Grade 12 at CPHS, competed in the welding competition and says initially he was a little nervous. “It's cool to see what everyone's specifically good at and the different types of welding as there's more than one. We got professionally graded and told what we needed to work on and what we did well. It was good constructive criticism,” says Stanzel.
Stanzel adds he has done some welding at school and home, but the competition gave him an added boost of confidence and insight. “I'm going into civil engineering and structure building. This opportunity gave me some good insights into why certain welding should be avoided and can be simplified into different types of welding.”
The welding and carpentry judges praised all students for the quality of workmanship and their skills. Special thanks to Core Gas for their ongoing support of student learning and for supplying judge Shawn Halliday for the welding competition.
NGDHS’s Theo Taylor placed first in carpentry and Jeremy Lockett of SFDCI placed first in welding. Both will represent their schools at regionals.
“We wish all UCDSB students competing in their respective competitions the best of luck at regionals,” says Levac.
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April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
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