Skills Canada Alberta Feb ENews

Calgary Board of Education
Skills Champions

2009 was a banner year for the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and their support of the Skills Movement. Under the leadership of their Skills Champions, 45 CBE students competed at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition. This resulted in more students competing from CBE in one year than had participated in the previous six years combined.

When Michael Kohler the Learning Leader for the Academy of Business, Industry and Entrepreneurship at Lord Beaver Brook High School sent a request to other schools in his district to participate in a group field trip Stage 1

to the 2009 Provincial Skills Canada Competition, the response was immediate; Bowness, Forest Lawn, Jack James and Henry Wise Wood High Schools all responded to the call.

Paul Allard, Construction teacher at Bowness High School worked with Georgina Nichols of Stepper Homes to create a partnership with industry supporters to ensure that all CBE students and teachers that wanted to participate were supported. They set and achieved the goal of raising enough funds to pay for all the costs of the CBE students and teachers that attended the provincial event.

Working together as a district created efficiencies in the planning and fundraising required for dozens of representatives to participate in 2009. In addition to a memorable experience, CBE students earned nine Provincial and three National medals.

The upcoming regional and provincial competitions are already on the radar of the CBE Skills Champions and students as they plan for even more students to participate. Based on their success last year, more schools from CBE will participate in the upcoming Regional and Provincial Skills Canada Competitions.

"For me participation in Provincial Skills Canada Competitions allows teachers to see the high level of student skill that is in Alberta. It affords an opportunity to meet other teachers from our areas that are excited about what they do" notes CBE Teacher Steve Woodard. "For students there is the direct benefit to competitors in acquiring skills while getting ready for the competition, as well as gaining confidence in their abilities when successful. There is also a benefit to other students in our classes and schools through creating excitement and awareness of what we do in our classes."

Skills Canada Alberta applauds the CBE for their enthusiasm and support of their trade and technology students.

Quick Links:

CBE Canadian Skills Canada Newsrelease
CBE Support of the Skills Movement