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DEH CHO
Two Thomas Simpson School students have returned with silver medals from the 14th annual Skills Canada Territorial Skills Competition.

Tyler Sibbeston and Tyler Jumbo competed in television and video production, the only two-person event at the competition held in Yellowknife. Teams were challenged to create a news-style video about skilled trades and technology.

Sibbeston and Jumbo had between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on April 17 to complete their video. To divide up the task, Sibbeston shot the video while Jumbo conducted interviews.

This was Sibbeston's second year at the competition. The challenge was similar to last year's and Sibbeston, 18, said his experience gave the team a bit of an advantage.

The pair started by finding competitors in the other trades to interview. It wasn't an easy task.

"Most of them were camera shy," said Sibbeston.

Many other competitors were also too busy to be interviewed because they were also working to meet deadlines, said Jumbo. Being an interviewer was a very different experience, Jumbo, 21, said.

"It made me come out of my shell, which was good," he said.

Jumbo decided to enter the competition because it is his last year in high school so he wants to try new things.

"I like filming so I wanted to try that," he said.

Jumbo and Sibbeston finally managed to convince competitors in graphic design and photography to stop for interviews. With their footage in hand and three hours left, Sibbeston started the editing process.

Using specialized editing software, Sibbeston created a three-minute-45-second video that included an introduction, a montage of different trades, an interview, a second montage and then an exit. Sibbeston said he wasn't too rushed and had some time to spare at the end of the competition.

The videos were judged on both creativity and technical skills, said Jan Fullerton, the executive director of Skills Canada NWT.

Seventy-four students from across the territory competed in 19 categories during the one-day event. The main goal of the competition is to promote careers in skilled trades and technology for Northern youth, Fullerton said.

The competition gives students the chance to test themselves, build their confidence and display what they've learned. They also have the chance to learn new things, make industry contacts and connect with youth who share the same interests, she said.

Sibbeston, who's already helped to found a hobbyist film production group, titled Darkshire Films, said the competition gave him the chance to learn how to do news broadcasting.

"It was exciting," he said.

Jumbo said he enjoyed the whole experience, particularly getting to meet different people.

"I encourage people to go," he said.

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