Prince George, B.C.- The sparks will be flying at CNC today,   and there will be plenty of sawdust as well .

It  is Skills Competition day at CNC.  A day that sees  students  from Prince George and Quesnel compete  to show their skills in various trades.It is one of 13 regional competitions being held across B.C.,  through the partnership of  Skills Canada BC and Skills Compétences Canada.

The  competition serves two  main  objectives.  First,  it celebrates and rewards students for  their  hard work in mastering their  particular trade.  Secondly,   because  other students and industry leaders are invited to attend as spectators,  it creates an opportunity for  all  to  network and share information  about  the opportunities in trades.

The  Skills Competition  at CNC today  involves:

• Welding ( Post secondary)
• Pro Cook  (Post Secondary and Secondary)
• Electrical ( Post Secondary
• Cabinet Maker ( Post Secondary) and
• CNET ( Post Secondary)

“The Regional Skills Competition and Trades Day is an exciting opportunity for students from our region to showcase their skills,” says CNC dean of trades, Frank Rossi. “It will challenge competitors to demonstrate their skills in the trades and technologies, while allowing our guests to learn a little more about the world of trades.  It also is an excellent opportunity to inform students about what it means to be a tradesperson and to guide them toward the professions available in the skilled trades and technology fields. We hope that they will be inspired to continue to develop their skills.”

Participants will be  given a project, and a time limit in which to complete that project.   The finished  project will be judged  by  experts in those particular trades.

About 75 students  from local elementary schools and one  high school will  be attending he  competition as  spectators and will have an opportunity to tour the trades facilities at CNC and  take  part in a number of  special booths   which showcase specific trades.

Winners of todays event will  attend the Provincial  competition  in Abbottsford  April 13th.