Kingston Students Showcase Skills at Annual Trades Competition

Hundreds of elementary and secondary school students gathered at St. Lawrence College on March 14, 2024, to participate in the annual Limestone District School Board Skills Competition. With college students away for reading week, the college opened its facilities to host this vibrant showcase of talent across various trades and technology-based challenges.

The competition featured over two dozen skills and trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electronics, mechanics, robotics, auto repair, hair design, and culinary arts. According to Courtney Soucy, a recruiter for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), the event has experienced significant growth in recent years. “In the four years I’ve been involved, we’ve seen a rise from around 60 or 70 elementary students to nearly 300 now,” Soucy stated.

The competition aligns with the Skills Ontario framework, emphasizing hands-on learning, creativity, and problem-solving. This initiative allows students to explore career pathways in skilled trades, an area currently facing a critical shortage of workers. Soucy highlighted that the average age of skilled tradespeople is 65, warning that between 190,000 and 250,000 positions could remain unfilled within the next few years as the aging workforce retires.

“The shortage in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and transit is driving up costs and slowing major infrastructure projects,” she noted. Soucy attributes part of the issue to an ongoing societal push towards university education over vocational training, which has resulted in the closing of trade programs in schools. “Authorities now see how that was a bad move,” she remarked, reflecting on the past stigma surrounding skilled trades.

In response to these challenges, the Ontario government announced a significant investment of approximately $2.5 billion into the Skills Development Fund over three years. This includes $64.2 million earmarked specifically for apprenticeship training. Such financial support aims to create more opportunities for students to engage in practical learning experiences.

The competition also served as a platform for students who may not excel academically but possess exceptional skills in trades. “Some of these kids aren’t always the ones doing very well in school,” Soucy explained. “They get to put their energy into something positive and represent their school.”

The event also showcased a notable increase in female participation in skilled trades. Soucy expressed excitement over the growing interest among girls in these fields, stating, “It was never shown to me. A lot of that was because I sat in the girl demographic. Now, I see all these girls here, seeing what they can do. It’s incredible.”

Beja Mallen, head of the tech department at Sydenham High School and a judge in the culinary arts competition, described the student challenges. “The first thing the students had to do was butcher a chicken, and then they had to use the chicken throughout the competition,” Mallen explained. The culinary tasks included creating a chicken consommé, a pierogi-inspired appetizer, and a stuffed chicken as the main course.

Local restaurateur Tim Pater, who owns several dining establishments, was also a judge at the event. He expressed concern over the recent closure of culinary programs at local colleges, which he believes will exacerbate the skills gap. “A lot of these kids can’t afford to go to George Brown College in Toronto. It just seems so shortsighted to pull these programs when there’s such a demand for workers in the skilled trades,” Pater said.

Despite the challenges posed by program suspensions, Pater praised the efforts of local high schools, which have stepped in to provide culinary and hospitality training. “Regi, Loyalist Collegiate, and Holy Cross are all running culinary and hospitality programs,” he noted. However, he warned that filling managerial positions will become increasingly difficult without local post-secondary training.

Students who excelled in the skills competition will have the opportunity to represent their district at the Ontario Skills Competition in Toronto in early May, showcasing the potential of the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The enthusiasm and talent displayed at this year’s event highlight the importance of continued investment in vocational training and the future of skilled trades in the region.