Skills Ontario and Humber college celebrate Ont. competitors at WorldSkills competition
by CM Staff
Emma Kilgannon and Malcom Matwijec received bronze medals after competing last Fall.
TORONTO — Seven Ontario competitors were part of Team Canada at the WorldSkills Special Edition, where two Ontario skilled trade students have placed in the top three for their contests during the WorldSkills Special Edition 2022 Competition.
Emma Kilgannon and Malcom Matwijec received bronze medals after competing last Fall. A total of seven students from six Ontario colleges competed in the event. The special edition was held in 15 countries across 26 different cities.
Kilgannon, a student and recent graduate of Humber College, competed in Pâtisserie and Confectionary in Lucerne, Switzerland, while Matwijec, a student at Centennial College, competed in Heavy Vehicle Technology in Salzburg, Austria.
All competitors represented their college, Ontario, and Canada, including Spencer Chandu-Lall from Loyalist in Mechanical Engineering CAD, Daniel Kiss from Conestoga College in CNC Milling, Abigail King from Fanshawe College in Autobody Repair, Cameron Krause from Conestoga College in Bricklaying and Akshay Vineet from Sheridan College in Cloud Computing. Each competitor was also invited to Humber College North Campus on Thursday for a celebration of their efforts.
Ian Howcroft, the CEO of Skills Ontario, said the experience Kilgannon and Matwijec had at the competition is an example of the rewards from pursuing a career in the skilled trades and technologies.
“Skills Ontario is proud of the success Emma and Malcolm have achieved at the WorldSkills Competition,” said Howcroft, “Ontario youth are demonstrating the value and importance of a skilled trades education here and abroad. With the demand for skilled trades workers in Ontario growing, the opportunities from pursuing a career in the skilled trades and technologies are endless!”
“And it’s a great way to highlight the importance of careers in the trades with the Schulich Foundation’s announcement of a substantial commitment to scholarships towards skilled trades education. We are pleased to partner with the Schulich Foundation and the respective colleges to promote these new scholarships that will help more Ontarians pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades.”
On hand for the celebration and scholarship announcement were Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. Skills Ontario thanks the provincial government for its partnership and investment into the skilled trades.
“Skills Ontario draws out the best in our students, every time. I was overjoyed for Heavy-duty Equipment Technician apprentice and Centennial student, Malcolm Matwijec, when he earned a bronze medal at the WorldSkills Competition in Austria. What an incredible learning experience for Malcolm! Skills Ontario not only provides an opportunity for students to learn about themselves, to strengthen their technical skills and bolster their confidence, it also nurtures a passion for, and an interest in, the trades,” said Dr. Craig Stephenson, president and CEO, Centennial College.
