Skills Saskatchewan held its annual provincial competition on April 7, 2017 at the CNH Industrial Training Center in Saskatoon.

Overall, 465 secondary and post-secondary competitors participated in challenges representing 35 different trades and technologies, including Car Painting and Autobody.

It was Saskatchewan’s first-ever standalone competition, with 2,400 local students attending to watch the competitions and visit the career fair, as well as partake in the try-a-trade complete with a car painting machine and virtual welder provided by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Parr Auto Body.

In the Secondary Car Painting competition, Nathan Whitehead of Moose Jaw Peacock Collegiate took home gold and John Keller of Swift Current won silver.

In the Secondary Autobody Repair competition, Austin Smith of Estevan won gold, Andrew Abbott of Peacock received silver and Jayden Cooke of Swift Current took home the bronze medal.

In the Post-Secondary Autobody Repair competition, Htoo Hta of Parr Autobody won the gold and Francis Shlimoon of Saskatchewan Polytech-Saskatoon received silver.

In June, the gold medalists from the provincial competitions will have the opportunity to travel to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the Skills Canada National Competition.

Skills Canada is a not-for-profit organization that promotes engaging youth across the country in skilled trades and technologies.