Being the best at something has its rewards, such as earning a trip to London, England, or having high-level politicians applaud your efforts. For six Ontario students, these adventures are all part of their exciting career journeys in the skilled trades and technologies, and just one more notch in their relatively new toolbelts.

Having won gold medals at both the Ontario Technological Skills Competition and the subsequent Skills Canada National Competition six “Team Ontario” members will join 29 other students from across Canada who are advancing to the prestigious WorldSkills 2011 competition in London, England. The Team Ontario members are:

• Ryan Gomes of Centennial College, for Aircraft Maintenance;
• Tyler Hackney of Fanshawe College, for CNC Turning;
• Tom Middlebro of Mohawk College, for Offset Printing;
• Jonathan Sinke of Conestoga College, for Cabinetmaking; and
• Benjamin Church and Adrian Schut, a team from Almonte and District High School, for Mobile Robotics.

Staff at Skills Canada–Ontario recognized the need to celebrate these students' accomplishments by arranging for the six to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

WorldSkills London 2011 will be the 11th time a Canadian team has participated in this event, an international competition that takes place every two years and brings together the world's brightest students in skilled trades and technology. This year, WorldSkills will host more than 900 competitors from 52 member countries or regions, who will participate in team and individual contests.

Canada has a severe shortage of skilled tradespeople. Skills Canada–Ontario is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies to young people in Ontario through a variety of competitions, programs, and events. Each year the organization hosts the Ontario Technological Skills Competition. For additional information, visit the Skills Canada–Ontario website at www.skillsontario.com.