Hay River youth take on others in skills competition

February 16, 2012

Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Students from Hay River's Diamond Jenness High School were in Fort Smith yesterday to showcase their skills, competing in a variety of trades ranging from cooking to welding.

Cosmetology teacher Lauren Hill said the teens worked hard to show off their skills and explore the idea of a career in the trades.

“I had a student with me and he was involved in welding,” she said. “He placed second; he was making a Skidoo and he worked all morning and in the afternoon and he worked really for the whole day. Kids are learning these things in school and it’s just amazing.”

Students came from around the region to compete for the right to enter the territorial skills competition that will take place in Yellowknife in April.

Hill said that with their high school training, some competitors are considering a trade as a career.

“I believe one girl is for sure,” she said. “One of the other girls is looking at nursing also. She has these nice skills that she can always fall back if that’s what she wants to do.”

Skills Canada NWT runs the competition to raise awareness of trades and technology careers among northern youth.

CJCD Mix 100 News