Regional Skills 2024 showcases Students in the Trades

Bluewater District School Board and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board students from eight secondary schools convened in Owen Sound on Friday, March 1, 2024 as the Regional Technological Skills Challenge made its exciting return for another year.

Hosted by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) in three locations, including Georgian College, Sydenham Campus, and Owen Sound District Secondary School, competitions encompassed the wide-ranging categories of Carpentry – Team of Two, Culinary, Electrical Installations, Hairstyling, and Welding.

The premier local skilled trades event of the year, ‘Regional Skills’ is for local secondary students enrolled in trades programs. Each challenge is judged by local industry experts, who grade participants according to specific criteria reflective of their sector.

The following are the top three students from each challenge at Regional Skills 2024:

[For larger view, Click on Image]

Culinary

(L-R): Azel Garside, Padraig Barry Murphy, C.J. Antoine

 

1. Padraig Barry Murphy – Saugeen District Senior School
2. C.J. Antoine – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3. Azel Garside – Saugeen District Senior School

 

 

 

Welding

(L-R): Greg Stroeder, Clayton Wood, Parker Elphick

 

1. Clayton Wood – John Diefenbaker Senior School
2. Parker Elphick – Sacred Heart High School
3. Greg Stroeder – Owen Sound District Secondary School

 

 

Hairstyling

(L-R): Gloria Libicz, Hairstyling Teacher Jeff Williton (for Riley Hayball), Austin Ceaser

 

1. Riley Hayball – Owen Sound District Secondary School
2. Austin Ceaser – Owen Sound District Secondary School
3. Gloria Libicz – Owen Sound District Secondary School

 

 

 

 

Electrical Installations

(L-R): Michael Liscio, Nathan Romphf, Dakota MacInnis

 

1. Nathan Romphf – Sacred Heart High School
2. Dakota MacInnis – Saugeen District Senior School
3. Michael Liscio – Owen Sound District Secondary School

 

 

 

Carpentry – Team of Two

(L-R): Cohen Wettlaufer & Tim Ireland, Jake Matcheski & Hayden Wardell, Landon Fry (absent Alex Tersteege)

 

1. Jake Matcheski and Hayden Wardell – Owen Sound District Secondary School
2. Landon Fry and Alex Tersteege – John Diefenbaker Senior School
3. Tim Ireland and Cohen Wettlaufer – Sacred Heart High School

 

 

The top three Culinary and Welding students will move on to compete at the 2024 Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions in Barrie on Saturday, April 13th. The first-place finishers in the remaining categories will advance directly to the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition on May 6, 7, and 8 in Toronto.

Congratulations and best of luck to these competitors as they move on to the next phase of challenges. Acknowledgement is also extended to every student who participated and brought their skills to the table.

Thanks to OYAP, our hosting community partners, judges, technology teachers, and other staff, who helped to coordinate and ensure the success of another amazing experiential learning event for students. They are appreciated for their ongoing commitment and support of students as they explore careers in the skilled trades.