Dustin LaRue, a Grade 12 student at Salisbury Composite High and competitor at the provincial Skills Alberta baking competition for senior high.

Sherwood Park, AB. — On May 8 and 9, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) students are showing off their specialized prowess and hard-earned expertise at the provincial Skills Alberta competitions. These competitions promote excellence in trades and technology, allow students to discover career path opportunities and enhance the quality of technological education.

This year, EIPS has many students competing in various event categories, including:

• Baking
  - Dustin LaRue, Grade 12, Salisbury Composite High
• Car Painting
  - Connor Macdonell, Grade 12, Salisbury Composite High
• Culinary Arts—Junior
  - Cassidy Teschke, Grade 9, Sherwood Heights Junior High
  - Christopher Pierce, Grade 9, Sherwood Heights Junior High
  - Emerson Chapman, Grade 9, Rudolph Hennig Junior High
• Culinary Arts—Senior
  - Owen Inkster, Grade 12, Bev Facey Community High
• Fashion Technology
  - Kayla Klita, Grade 9, Sherwood Heights Junior High
• Hairstyling—Senior
  - Rebecca Jackson, Grade 12, Bev Facey Community High
• Workplace Safety
  - Ivy Lambert, Grade 12, Vegreville Composite High

To reach provincials, students must first compete in a regional or qualifying Skills Canada Alberta competition—or be selected by their school for skill areas not offered in their region. “Participating in these provincials isn’t just about the competition—it’s a journey of growth and self-discovery,” says Kristin Oleksyn, a Career Pathways Supervisor at EIPS. “We’re bursting with pride witnessing students’ dedication and perseverance as they prepare to showcase their talents. Making it to this event is an affirmation of their hard work, fueled by the support and guidance of their teachers and coaches. Together, they’ve embarked on a remarkable adventure, and regardless of the outcome, they’ve already achieved something extraordinary.”

Skills Alberta is part of a national association, Skills Canada, which has offices in each territory and province in Canada. In 1992, Skills Canada Alberta was established to equip young minds with the skills that will help Canada compete successfully in a drastically changing world market. This is accomplished through programming targeted at junior high, senior high and post-secondary students. Through Skills Alberta, students gain access to career resources, scholarships, references and more.

Gold medalists at the provincial competitions are rewarded with an invitation to join Team Alberta. Students can then showcase their skills at the Skills Canada National Competition, which is held in a different Canadian city every year.

“Provincials is a huge opportunity for me to showcase my skills and give it my all,” says Dustin LaRue, a Salisbury Composite High student who is competing in the baking category. “Not only is this already a big competition, but if I'm successful with my products, I get to compete in front of the entire country. The gateway that Skills Canada provides is incredibly valuable, and I’m so excited for what’s to come.”

In addition to these provincial competitions, EIPS is sending more than 100 students from junior and senior high schools to explore potential career pathways at Skills City and to participate in the Girls Exploring Trades and Technologies event. To learn more about Skills Alberta competitions and events, see the Skills Alberta website.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

RELATED INFORMATION:
EIPS Career Pathways: Skills Alberta 
Skills Canada 

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902