Humber Students Take Home Gold at Skills Ontario Competition in Mechatronics
Humber students move on to Skills Canada National Competition being held May 25 and 26 in Manitoba
June 13, 2023
By Krystie Johnston
Skills Ontario recently held the 2023 Skills Ontario Competition in person at the Toronto Congress Centre. It was the first in-person event after three years of it being held virtually during the COVID pandemic.
To compete in the Skills Ontario Competition, students must register through their institution. Some institutions host their own internal competition to determine who will be selected to represent them. In the Mechatronics Contest, for example, students from Humber College compete against each other to determine who advances on to the Provincial Competition. The Competition advances next to a National Competition, and finally a World Competition.
In February, Humber College hosted their Humber Skills Varsity Qualifying Competition in Mechatronics. Humber students have dominated the Provincial, National, and World level competitions for nearly 20 years, winning 45 medals since 2004. The competition is sponsored by industry partners such as Magna and SEW-Eurodrive. Seven teams of students demonstrated their skills in automation, mechanical building, electrical wiring, troubleshooting, speed execution, and professional practice. Each team demonstrated confidence and cooperation; however, only one team took Gold and went on to compete at the Provincials.
Paxton C. and Dillon K. won gold and advanced to compete in Toronto against the best-of-the-best from the province in the Mechatronics Contest. On May 3, 2023, at the Awards Ceremony, they were again awarded a gold medal in the Mechatronics Contest and will be moving on to Skills Canada National Competition being held May 25 and 26 at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, MB. Competitors from Centennial College and Conestoga College won Silver and Bronze, respectively. The fourth-place winners in the Mechatronics Competition are also Humber College students, Sara H and Jonathan W.
Overall, across all contests, it was a successful showing for Humber College students at the Skills Ontario Competition. Humber sent almost 40 students to the competition, in total, they won four gold medals, two silver and three bronze.
Dillon K. has won Gold at the Humber Skills Varsity Qualifying Competition in Mechatronics before – and Silver at the Skills Ontario Competition – but this was the first time he won Gold at the provincial level. Dillon K. says, “Winning Skills Ontario was much more exciting because it was the first win among teams we have never met. Unlike the Humber internal competition, we knew nothing about our competitors. Representing Team Ontario in Winnipeg is a wonderful honor because now we are representing our province – not just our school.”
Dillon K., Second Year Student, Electromechanical Program at Humber College
Paxton C. is glad that their hard work has taken them so far already and looks forward to the opportunity to represent Team Ontario as well. He says, “It feels great to make it to nationals and represent Ontario on the national stage. It is really satisfying having all the work we have put in come to fruition. I think that with the amount of time we have devoted to the competition, it is deserved, and I look forward to competing in nationals.”
Paxton C., First Year Student, Electromechanical Program at Humber College
Later this month, at the Skills Canada National Competition, Dillon K. and Paxton C. will be competing against teams that are new to them as well. And the countdown is on! Competitors have roughly three weeks to prepare for the next level of competition and are busy practicing their skills.
This year, Skills Canada National Competition is bringing three new initiatives to look forward to: First, they will be hosting a NEW! Skills Symposium where industry, government, and education will have the opportunity to meet, exchange, and share knowledge. This year’s theme is Embracing Adaptability: Navigating Change in the Skilled Trades and Technologies. Second, they will be hosting a NEW! Skills Showcase featuring First Nations, Inuit and Metis Skills. And finally, they will present the NEW! Empowering Women in Trades initiative that will bring together industry partners to show young women the incredible careers that are available in the skilled trades.
The Skills Competitions are an ideal way for tomorrow’s workforce to discover new and exciting careers. The Skills Canada National Competition is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. Each year, more than 550 competitors from all regions of Canada participate in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions.
Dillon K. and Paxton C. sum up their thoughts on the skilled trades and the Skills Competitions:
“Skills Competitions allow students in the trades to show off their specialized skills to other like-minded individuals. Much like competing in organized sports.”
Dillon K., Second Year Student, Electromechanical Program at Humber College
“I would encourage other students to really apply themselves to what they enjoy.”
Paxton C., First Year Student, Electromechanical Program at Humber College
Best of luck at the National Competition!
