Calendar
Waterloo, Ontario – The Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) will be held at RIM Park in Waterloo on Monday, May 4 (Elementary Technology Activity Day) and Tuesday, May 5. Featuring 67 skilled trades and technologies contests, and 2,000 competitors from high schools and colleges across Ontario, it is the largest skilled trades competition in Canada.
Over 20,000 spectators will come out to RIM Park over these two days to witness the skills of Ontario’s young people in action. From contests in plumbing, culinary, aesthetics, and automotive service - to name only a few - competitors are judged on their skills related to their field, as well as their job interview skills and related soft skills.
Winners are presented with gold, silver, and bronze medals, and may also receive monetary awards at the closing ceremony held at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex on Wednesday, May 6. Many winners are eligible to move on to the Skills Canada National Competition in Saskatoon at the end of May.
“Those who compete at the OTSC are the future of skilled trades and technologies in Ontario. We believe there’s no better way for a young person to jump start their career than by providing them the opportunity to tell future employers they are a gold medalist in their field,” says Gail Smyth, Executive Director for Skills Ontario.
In addition to the contests and events happening at RIM Park, the Young Women’s Conferences will take place at Bingemans in Kitchener on Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m in conjunction with the OTSC. The conferences this year are the largest ever, with an astounding number of 1500 girls taking part in career exploration, skilled-trades activities, workshops and mentoring over two days, before making their way to explore the OTSC at RIM Park each afternoon.
Quick Facts
• Over 8 million dollars in in-kind donations are required to make the OTSC a success, including the donation of over 500 power tools and 75 welders
• A section of 42-inch diameter TransCanada pipeline will be onsite at RIM Park
• 12 power line poles will be installed in the front yard of RIM Park for the Powerline Technician contests
Media Contact:
Anne Ramsay, Communications Officer, Skills Ontario
519-749-9899 x 230
