May 31, 2022

“An incredible experience” is how Medicine Hat College (MHC) apprenticeship student, Spencer Mann, describes his participation in the Skills Canada competition held in Vancouver, BC on May 26-27. After placing first at the provincial competition earlier this month, Mann moved on to compete at the national level.

Qualifying apprentices across Canada attended the event, completing a variety of tasks to test their accuracy and skill. Though he is only in the second year of his apprenticeship, Mann was challenged with skills that are generally not taught until the third and fourth years.

“It was very fun to learn what I needed to do and get it accomplished. Everyone was so helpful throughout the process and my instructors gave me a lot of time to practice after school hours and on weekends,” says Mann.

Despite the challenge, Mann excelled in the competition, happy to represent MHC and take home the silver medal for steamfitting/pipefitting. Along with his instructors, MHC president & CEO, Kevin Shufflebotham, attended the event in support of Mann.

“We are so proud of Spencer’s accomplishment at Skills Canada” says Shufflebotham. “His award is a true testament to his hard work and the dedication of his instructors in the School of Trades & Technology, who supported him along the way. It was a privilege to see his hard work come to fruition and to be there to see him compete.”

While this is the last year that Mann is eligible to compete in Skills Canada due to his age, he encourages anyone that is interested or working in the trades to compete.

Learn more about the Skills Canada Competition: www.skillsalberta.com/competition

Explore the programs offered in MHC’s School of Trades & Technology: www.mhc.ab.ca/ProgramsandCourses