Every time we practice a skill, we learn, and we get better. This is what education is all about – continuously learning and growing, to become who we want to be. Our goal is to provide students with the learning opportunities that allow them to explore their interests, immerse themselves in what they’re passionate about, and find their future careers.

By hosting our DSBN Technological Skills Challenge, our secondary students will be able to do just that.

Between March 1 to 12, secondary students will have a chance to showcase their talent in the skilled trades in over 20 challenges. Participating students will test their skills against their peers from across DSBN by completing industry-related projects, following industry regulations and using modern, industry-standard equipment and software. With challenges like coding, culinary arts, graphic design, welding and precision machining, DSBN staff and industry mentors from Niagara College are partnering up to judge the competitions.

“Students really look forward to these challenges and were asking if they would happen this year under the circumstances – they’re eager to keep growing their education in the skilled trades and we want to do what we can to support that. These are significant learning experiences for them and can influence the careers they choose, so we made sure the opportunity was there for them,” said Jill Russell, DSBN Technology and OYAP Consultant.

All 17 of DSBN’s secondary schools will be involved in this year’s set of challenges. With many participating students enrolled in DSBN’s technological education courses, as well as our Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programming, our schools are well-prepared to host the skills challenges, equipped with up-to-date facilities.

“Talent runs deep at the DSBN. Our students are regularly amazing us with what they can bake, cook, build, fix, design and more. When they’re at school they’re training to be the best they can be; to be successful in their futures. It’s our goal to support them as much as we can,” said Roy Smith, DSBN Technology and SHSM consultant.

Success in these challenges is often noticed by many employers, who recognize our students’ skills and potential. Gold medalists will advance to the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, to be held virtually from April 22 – May 7. Getting gold at provincial will earn students a spot on Team Ontario, where they will compete with students across the country in the Skills Canada National Competition.