Emmett Sherbinin never expected to win Alberta gold.
The Grade 10 Lloydminster Comprehensive High School student joined an Electrical 10 class last year out of curiosity, which led him to the top of the Skills Canada Alberta podium.
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“I spent a lot of lunches in this classroom with Mr. McCarthy. I built a mock-up of what the competition would be,” he said, noting electrical installation was an accidental love affair.
“I just thought it sounded interesting,” said Emmett. “Then my teacher, Mr. McCarthy, got me interested in going to Skills and helped me prepare for it.”
He won gold at provincials, landing a spot on Team Alberta for nationals in Regina.
Tight deadlines and wiring diagrams met students at both levels of competition.
“They give you seven hours on the first day and five hours on the second day,” said Emmett. “They pretty much tell you, “Here’s your plan and go do it.’”
Teacher Darren McCarthy said Emmett stood out for his commitment and ability to stay calm, explaining are mostly on their own during competition.
“Before he goes in and starts, he handed me his phone,” said McCarthy. “There’s zero communication, and they’re very clear. If we got caught trying to communicate with them, he’d be disqualified.”
Stunned would be an understatement when Emmett heard his name called for gold.
“I really didn’t think I would win,” he said. “I was looking at the project of the guy next to me and his looked pretty good, and he finished earlier.”
He loved the opportunity to represent both Alberta and Lloydminster.
“It was awesome,” he said. “It’s a lot of pressure, but it was pretty cool.”
From Alberta to Nationals
McCarthy said once students qualify for provincials, the training kicks into high gear.“I start reviewing different architectural drawings with them,” he said. “My next steps are to start training on more difficult tasks like installing and bending a variety of conduits, relays, doorbells and electrical panels. I have connections with master electricians to come and assist with additional training.”
Sherbinin’s biggest nemesis, as with many other teenagers participating in the events, was time management.
“Just trying to get everything done in that amount of time,” said Emmett. “So I just set a plan, what I was gonna start with and what I was gonna make my way to doing.”
However, at the end of day one, McCarthy could offer advice before day-two began.
“With electrical construction, you can give feedback and they can make corrections,” he said. “So, it’s almost like a sport where you’re coaching them and helping them through it.”
Though Emmett didn’t place at nationals, the experience left a mark. He looks forward to trying to qualify again next year, this time for nationals in Toronto, Ont.
The experience also has him eyeing up a future in the trades.
“I think I’ll definitely go into the trades and electrical will probably be the trade,” he said.
His advice to others?
“Just go try it. Don’t worry about how good you do. Just go try and keep trying.”
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