In September 2009, 38 young Canadians will be traveling to Calgary, Alta. to participate in 35 contest areas and represent Canada at the 40th WorldSkills competition. Among them will be budding collision repair professionals, and fellow Albertans, Devon DeBoer and Daniel Green, who hail from Calgary and Drumheller respectively.
From the September 1 to 7, 2009, they will be among the 900 competitors from 51 countries hosted by the Canada at WorldSkills Calgary 2009. This competition symbolizes the height of excellence in trades and technologies.
Devon DeBoer, who will compete in Autobody Repair, sees it as fun and stimulating. He chooses to work long hours since he thoroughly enjoys his career and has loved the trade since he was a small boy.
DeBoer chose to get involved with the trades because he feels that they make him strive to be a better person. His inspiration comes from his father who he says taught him that success is derived from tenacity and determination.
It was one of his instructors at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Polytechnic who first recommended that DeBoer use his talents in Autobody Repair and Autobody Finishing to participate in the Skills Alberta Provincial Competition. Since his first competition, he has been hooked. He now looks forward to testing his skills against international competitors at the WorldSkills Competition 2009.
“This Competition is a chance to put my name out there and will prove that Canada has a high level of trade skills,” says DeBoer.
This positive sentiment is echoed by car painting representative for Canada, Daniel Green. He enjoys a busy life of sports, hobbies, work and spending time with friends and family. When thinking about his career, Green wanted something that was hands-on, challenging, interesting and provided future opportunities. He found what he wanted with a spray gun in his hand.
The WorldSkills competition is far from his first exposure to high level skills competition.
Green’s first experience with Skills/Compétences Canada - Alberta was in 2007 when he competed for auto body repair. He was then invited to compete again for car painting and took home the gold medal at the Skills/Compétences Canada - Alberta Provincial Competition as well as the gold medal at the Canadian Skills Competition 2008, which qualified him to compete in Calgary.
Green believes that competing at 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, in September 2009 will prove to be an experiencet he will never forget.
“I am eager to see where my skills are ranked, gain experience, and meet all the wonderful people from Canada and around the world,” says Green.
Every two years, Canada competes at the WorldSkills Competition, against the best in the world. As Canada ’s member organization of WorldSkills International; Skills/Compétences Canada selects and prepares Team Canada for the international competitions; 38 successful Canadian competitors will be participating and will represent Canada at this prestigious international event that will be hosted in Calgary from September 1 - 7 2009. Skills/Compétences Canada is proud to present the official Team Canada Members that will compete at the 40th WorldSkills Competition.
For more information on the competition, visit www.skillscanada.com.