July 26, 2005
Ontario takes gold in National Skills Competition


By Michael Pascoe, Fanshawe College

When Troy Underhill and Paul Snyder left to compete in the 11th annual Canadian Skills Competition, it was as gold medallists in Ontario’s provincial competition, held at Canada Blooms this past March. Three months later, the Fanshawe College team now holds top honours in the national competition, held June 3 to 6 in Edmonton, Alta. The Canadian Skills Competition, held at the Northlands Agricom, is an Oympic-style skills competition that showcases students’ technical and leadership skills over a five-day competition.

Students participate in practical challenges designed to test skills required in technology and trade occupations. Over 500 competitors competed in various skills including, bricklaying, plumbing, electrical, heavy and small engine mechanics, etc.

The philosophy of the skills competitions is to reward students for excellence, to directly involve industry in evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs. These skills competitions give students access to the newest technologies and communicate with industry experts who serve as mentors by showing students the skills they possess are valuable.

Industry support
Traveling to Edmonton for the five-day event is an expensive undertaking, including shipping over 150 kg of tools. Special thanks go to Clintar London, Clintar Toronto, Landscape Ontario, Landscape Ontario Student Chapter at Fanshawe College and Fanshawe College, which contributed the $6,000 needed to send the Fanshawe team to the nationals. John Fisher of Fisher Topsoil allowed the team to use resources at his stone yard on Exeter Road in London for practice sessions, giving the edge needed in the natural stone component. Thanks also go to Copp’s Building Supplies, which helped equip the team at cost.

Strategies for a golden finish
The competition involved two six-hour days of building. Each team (Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta) received the same plans and same amount of material. They were evaluated over a two-day period by a team of four judges for the ongoing techniques used in the construction of their projects, work safety and project accuracy at the conclusion of the build.

The team strategized to work efficiently in the time allotted for the project, which included natural stonework, interlocking pavers, a wooden lattice panel and planting. At the end of the first day, it was apparent that there was some stiff competition. Team Ontario reviewed the previous day’s progress and developed a timeline for the next day that helped to achieve the gold.

The team arrived back in London on the Tuesday following the competition at 3 a.m., both due at work in the morning. Troy Underhill works for Underhill’s Landscaping in Scarborough while Paul Snyders runs his own landscape company in London called PGS Landscaping.

In 2006, the International Skills Competition will be held in Japan. It is our hope that an Ontario team will represent Canada next year.