Brian Martin brought home the gold from the 14th annual Canadian Skills Competition held in Calgary on May 28.
Martin, the son of Gary and Carol Martin, of Eramosa township, had qualified for the national championship by winning the gold medal in the Ontario skills championship for plumbing.
With the national award now in his grasp, Martin will be Canada’s representative at the World Skills 2009 event. That competition, too, will be held in Calgary.
Martin was offered the chance to compete in the provincial competition after completing the third of his five required sessions at trade school at Conestogo College in January and February. The only stipulation was he could not be 21 or older when he took part in that event in April. Having just turned 21, he works at Sutherland-Schultz Inc., in Cambridge
Skills Canada has launched the competition in order to promote careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth.
It holds annual, Olympic style competitions that test the skills of young people at secondary and post secondary levels in trade and technology. Gold medalists from each province or territory compete in the national competition.
One reason for promoting skills and technology is Canada is expected to face a huge shortage in those jobs. The Conference Board of Canada has stated, “Canada will face a shortage of more than a million skilled workers by 2020.”
The competition this year in Calgary featured over 500 young Canadians in various trades and technologies.
Martin said it was an honour to be chosen to compete at the national level, and he figures the world competition will be tough.
“There will be hours of practice required, but it is a tremendous opportunity – and I’m grateful for the chance” he said.
There will be 14 different countries taking part in that competition.
Martin is a member of Local 527 United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Welders and he thanked those members, who helped him prepare for the event.
