Chinook’s Edge students succeed at regional Skills competitions

Four Chinook’s Edge students are headed to Skills Alberta Provincial competitions in May, as a result of their placements at recent regional Skills Alberta competitions in Red Deer and in Calgary. The four students who qualified for the provincials are: 

• Auston Wright, a Grade 11 student attending Hugh Sutherland School in Carstairs, received gold in the carpentry category.
  
  
• Logan Swanson, a Grade 11 student attending Didsbury High School, received silver in the welding category.
  
  
• Johan Eriksson, a Grade 12 student attending Didsbury High School received silver the in carpentry category
  
  
• Ryder Mierke, a Grade11 student attending Didsbury High School, received a bronze in the carpentry category.

Also of note:

• Salvador Vermeulen, a Grade 11 student attending École Olds High School, received a bronze in the welding category. 
  
  
• Levi Reese, a Grade 10 student attending Didsbury High School, received silver in the video production category

Vermeulen says he is thankful for everyone who made the competition possible.  “Thank you again for everything! All the time, effort, patience, and money put in. All of this has been such a great experience and a good job opportunity for me. I have learned great new skills as well,” says Vermeulen. 

“I am happy for how this year went, and I’m looking forward to next year,” says Mierke. “I am hoping to go to provincials!”

Swanson, who is headed to provincials, says the competition was challenging. “Pressure makes diamonds,” he says. “I’m glad I got to shine.”

In addition to those who placed, three other Chinook’s Edge students competed in the welding category: Jaren Leaver from Didsbury High School, Cale Graville from École Olds High School, and Quinn Goodwin from Hugh Sutherland School.

Also, Jaidyn Gordon, from Delburne School, competed in the cabinet making category. Her teacher, Emily McArthur says, “Jaidyn was very excited to participate in skills and had a lot of fun.”

Skills Alberta is a part of a national association: Skills Canada. According to the Skills Alberta website, “To meet industry and education demands and in anticipation of future trends, Skills

Canada Alberta was established in 1992 to equip young minds with the skills that will help Canada compete successfully in a drastically changing world market.”

There are 32 categories in the competition including computer animation, auto body repair, graphic design, electronics, photography, hairstyling, robotics and web design. 

“On behalf of our teachers, our Career Connections team and all of Chinook’s Edge and Olds College, good luck to the students who are moving onto provincials!” says Brianne Fletcher, Career Connections Coordinator. “We are cheering for you!”

“We are incredibly proud of the students and their participation at the Skills Alberta Regional competitions,” says Fletcher. “Special thanks to their shop teachers and college instructors who have worked hard instructing and supporting

students preparing for the competition, and helped build their confidence to enter. It’s a great opportunity for students made possible by our great teachers.”

The provincial competition takes place in Edmonton  on May 7-8, 2025