Participating in Skills Canada helps students build confidence, grow their skills, and stand out in their future careers.
“It’s fun to work so hard at something and then get to go and compete at a provincial level,” said Davin Bajema, a Grade 12 student at Holy Rosary High School. He and his partner, Luke Light, won bronze in video production at Skills Alberta. It looks great on a resume,” he said. “Now I can go and tell people I’m the third-best videographer in Alberta — for my age anyways.”
Read more: Lakeland to host Skills Canada Regionals
Skills competitions provide students with the opportunity to practise real-world trades and technologies. They compete in events such as video production, automotive service and others.
At Holy Rosary, teacher Skye Ferguson prepares students for months leading up to each event. She helped train Bajema and Light for their
competition.
“These students don’t just show up and hope for the best,” said Ferguson. “They dedicate hours of training with me leading up to the event.”
She says every competition is a learning
opportunity.
“We analyze our performances, look for areas of improvement, and continually push ourselves to reach a higher standard,” she said.
Lloydminster Comprehensive High School teacher Darcy McFarlane agrees. The school sent the only local student to the national competition this year. Emmett Sherbinin won provincial gold in Electrical Installation and attended nationals.
“Skills competitions become highly independent and simulate trade situations where the technician carries the bulk of the responsibility,” said
McFarlane. “In preparing students, a gradual release of responsibility in their learning environment is essential.”
Competing at provincials or nationals is challenging. Students face long days, pressure and fierce competition.
“The biggest challenge students face is themselves,” said McFarlane. “Coaching self-confidence, and coaching them through anxieties is a big obstacle.”
Ferguson said her own experience competing helps her students. “I’ve been in their shoes,” she said. “That first-hand experience allows me to guide them through what to expect.”
Bajema said stress was a major challenge, especially with strict timelines.
“We have 12 hours to create a two-minute video,” he said. “That might seem like a lot, but it’s really not.”
Through the Skills program, he learned how to manage time and stay focused.
“Time management is a huge thing,” he said. “Staying focused with that many people buzzing around you.”
When asked what he liked least, he said scripting. Editing is his strong suit and favourite part.
“You can have the same footage and give it to three different guys, and they can tell three completely different stories,” he said.
Both teachers say the learning goes beyond technical skills.
“Students collaborate constantly — whether they’re filming, organizing schedules, brainstorming, or meeting deadlines,” said Ferguson. “These real-world habits are embedded in the creative
process.”
McFarlane said the experience builds resiliency. In the school setting, help is always around. At Skills, students must rely on themselves.
Industry standards and detailed rubrics ensure fair and relevant judging. This allows for nationwide standards for judging the students.
“The judging follows the CIS marking system,” said Ferguson, who serves on the national technical committee. “It emphasizes strong execution, clear storytelling and meeting the prompt.”
Every step faces judgment in trades like automotive, according to McFarlane.
“The judging is done through a detailed rubric,” he said. “It’s a complex set of indicators.”
Bajema said the learning curve is steep, but the rewards are big. He will be studying video production at SAIT in Calgary.
“If you look at my Grade 11 video versus my Grade 12 video, there’s really no comparison,” he said.
His advice for anyone considering a Skills
Canada Competition?
“Do it. It’s awesome.”
Read more: Holy Rosary students going for Skills Canada gold, again
