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Skills shine on a national stage Katherine Hudson Northern News Services Published Monday, April 30, 2012
The 28-year-old, along with 17 other NWT winners of the territorial Skills Canada competition, which took place April 17, are sharpening their skills to compete against Canada's finest in Edmonton from May 13 to 16. Two territorial participants won't be competing because their skill is either not offered at the nationals, or not offered in their age category. However, they will have the opportunity to participate as the team photographer and by attending a national youth forum taking place in conjunction with the competition.
Guild knew he wanted to be a mechanic since high school and was ecstatic when he heard he was representing the territory in the heavy equipment mechanic category on the national stage.
As the competition creeps closer, Guild said he's been trying to prepare both during his time at home, as well as at work at De Beers Canada's Snap Lake Mine.
"I've been looking at some older modules now from a couple years of schooling and looking back at some of the points where I might need to refresh, so I'm kind of preparing myself. When I go back to work, I'll get more of a hands-on training again," he said.
Guild returns to shift work on Wednesday.
Gaeleen MacPherson, manager of human resources and administration for De Beers, said Guild is a strong member of the Snap Lake team who is focused on excelling in his trade.
"We're proud of what he has accomplished so far, and know he will benefit from interacting with other mechanic apprentices from across the country at the national event," she said in a news release.
Jan Fullerton, executive director of Skills Canada NWT, without the support of the organization, many youth from smaller communities would not have the opportunity to experience these trades and technologies.
At the community level, Skills Canada supports skills clubs, funding for tools and equipment and materials so schools and other organizations are able to run extracurricular programming where it doesn't otherwise exist in the school system.
This year, the national competition is a qualifier for the World Skills competition, which will be held in July 2013 in Germany.
For Guild, the idea of going head-to-head with peers from across the country in a few weeks isn't daunting, but exciting.
"I just try to remember all the key points. Make sure I do things safely and that it's all about the experience. For me, I'm not really going there to win. I'll do the best I can, but it's mainly for the experience and to see other mechanics and how they work and gain knowledge from them," he said.
NWT winners heading to Skills Canada national competition
* Taylor Rein (Yellowknife) - esthetics
* Ryan Webb (Yellowknife) - auto Service (secondary)
* John Spoelder (Yellowknife) - auto Service (post secondary)
* Aimee Yurris (Yellowknife) - baking
* T.C. Ibey (Yellowknife) - carpentry (secondary)
* Brandon Anderson (Yellowknife) - carpentry (post secondary)
* Sebastien Remillard (Yellowknife) - cooking
* Richard Neary (Yellowknife) - electrical wiring
* Katharine Thomas (Yellowknife) - Graphic design
* Danita Frost-Arey (Inuvik) - hairstyling
* Travis Guild (Fort Resolution) - heavy equipment mechanic
* Tony Liske (Yellowknife) - millwright
* Raelynn Von Allmen (Yellowknife) - photography
* Colin Miller (Yellowknife) - plumbing
* Brad Olson (Yellowknife) - small powered equipment
* Angela Alexie (Fort McPherson) - workplace safety
* Curtis Beaulieu (Yellowknife) - welding (post secondary)
* Antonio Lewis (Yellowknife) - welding (secondary)
* Jeanne Yurris and Nick Walker (Yellowknife) - TV/video production
Source: Skills Canada
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