Build, fix, design, create

If any of the words in the title above describe activities that you enjoy doing, you may just be a perfect candidate for a fulfilling career in the skilled trades and technologies. Skills Canada–Ontario has been helping students discover their talents and guiding them toward rewarding livelihoods since 1989. Did you know that there are more than 150 exciting occupations in the skilled trades and technologies? The range of options is mindboggling and includes everything from webpage design to welding, carpentry to culinary arts. Talk to your advisor, guidance counsellor or teachers about how to pursue such opportunities, and get involved in these Skills Canada–Ontario programs:

Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) Could you win a medal in carpentry? Compete with peers from across the province in 3D character animation? Create a culinary masterpiece while 30,000 people watch? Such achievements are truly attainable for some of the 1,800 student competitors from across the province who attend the OTSC. Every May, Waterloo's RIM Park is a hub of activity as participants compete in a total of 63 contest areas while thousands of spectators cheer them on. Students in high school, college, and apprenticeships vie for gold in a six-hour contest, supported by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, that tests both their theoretical knowledge and hands-on ability. Gold-medal winners advance to the national level with hopes of qualifying to represent Canada at WorldSkills. Even if you're not competing, the OTSC is well worth checking out. Take a stroll through the 65 interactive booths in the Career Exploration Showcase. You may just discover the roadmap to your future here!

Skills Work!® What's Out There? Another great way to find out about careers in the skilled trades and technologies is through the very popular in-class visits our liaison officers make. Using a multimedia presentation, they bring dozens of work opportunities to life and the interactive format allows students to really get the most out of the session. Each year, this program, supported by business, industry and the Ministry of Education, has an impact on the lives of over 100,000 students from Grades 7 through 12. More than 2,000 schools in Ontario take advantage of this benefit of affiliation with Skills Canada–Ontario. Ask if your school is eligible!

Skills Work!® for Women Networking Dinners If you are a young woman in high school, you'll want to come to one of our popular networking dinners. Designed to be relaxed, fun and informative, these dinners bring young women who are curious about the skilled trades together with tradeswomen who are working in the construction, industrial, service, communications and motive power sectors.

Cardboard boat races One of our most popular events, the cardboard boat races test participants' mathematical and teamwork skills in a fast-paced, fun environment. How speedy and strong would your team's boat be? Would it make it all the way across the pool? How many people would it hold? How fast would it go? It's amazing how far ingenuity and collaboration can go when the only materials available to the team are cardboard, glue, and duct tape! These are the records to beat: Weight: an incredible 640 kilograms, achieved in 2007; Speed: an impressive 15.03 seconds, achieved in 2009! To find out more about all our programs and events, contact the program manager, Alain Robineau, at alainr@skillscanada.com, or visit the Skills Canada–Ontario website at www.skillsontario.com.