Students Win Medals

Three Nova Scotians won medals at the recent Canadian Skills Competition in Vancouver. Patrick Doucette, Rebecca Park and Dana McCarthy were each awarded bronze medals after testing their skills in selected trades and technologies against peers from across the country.

One-thousand finalists, representing the 10 provinces and two territories, took part in the Olympic-style competition. Nova Scotia was represented by 15 students and apprentices chosen through provincial and regional competitions held in early April.

Mr. Doucette, studying at Burridge Campus in Yarmouth, finished third in the carpentry category. Ms. Park of Halifax won a bronze for her efforts in ladies hair dressing. Mr. McCarthy from Barrington made the medal podium in the plumbing category.

The event was an excellent opportunity for the students to measure their skills against industry standards and the rest of Canada. "The competition really showed how much you can achieve," said Mr. Doucette.

"The whole experience was exhilarating," added Ms. Park.

The competition was sponsored by the Department of Education and Culture and Human Resources Development Canada through Skills Canada - Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit provincial association of businesses, government, labour groups, educators and students.

Tina Kelly-Garnett, executive director of Skills Canada - Nova Scotia, said Nova Scotians can be proud of the entire group.

"The opportunity to show Canada the talent we have here in our province was tremendous. The skills and spirit displayed by these young Nova Scotians would make any parent, employer, educator or government proud."

Note: The following is intended for broadcast media:

Three Nova Scotia students came away with bronze medals at

the Canadian Skills Competition held recently in Vancouver.

Patrick Doucette of Yarmouth finished third in the carpentry

category. Rebecca Park of Halifax won for her efforts in ladies

hair dressing and Dana McCarthy of Barrington won in the plumbing

category.

The students competed against one-thousand finalists in

selected trades and technologies.