RDP Apprentices win five medals at Skills Canada Alberta
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Apprentices continue to demonstrate their industry-leading knowledge and skills on the provincial stage.
RDP Apprentices earned five medals, including two gold, two silver and one bronze, at the Skills Canada Alberta Competition, which was held at the Edmonton Expo Centre May 3-4.
Jared Quast (Sprinkler Systems Installer) and Ben Rainforth (Welding) were the top achievers from the Polytechnic, both winning gold medals. Quast and Rainforth will represent Red Deer Polytechnic and Team Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition, which will take place in Winnipeg May 25-26.
Jared Gamble (Plumbing) and Joseph Saunderson (Sprinkler Systems Installer) won silver in their respective trades. Ryley Bakken (Steamfitter/Pipefitter) earned bronze.
“These recent achievements reinforce the high-quality experiences available to apprentices at Red Deer Polytechnic and throughout the region,” says Joel Gingrich, Dean of School of Education and Trades. “Along with receiving enhanced education, training and support from RDP instructors, Skills Coaches and technicians, our apprentices receive industry-relevant opportunities from our region’s employers. This support and collaboration prepare our apprentices to excel in their fields.”
RDP Apprentices have built a legacy of excellence on the provincial and national stages. Since 2003, Red Deer Polytechnic Apprentices have earned 78 medals at Skills Canada Alberta and Skills Canada National events. RDP Welding Apprentices have earned gold at all five of the Skills Canada Alberta competitions held since 2018.
The robust skilled trades education and training opportunities provided at Red Deer Polytechnic and in partnership with regional businesses have a broad impact. These opportunities prepare students for Alberta’s diverse work force and help to fulfill labor market demands, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region and province.
Over the next few weeks, Quast and Rainforth will train and prepare with RDP instructors and Skills Coaches for the Skills Canada National Competition. The gold medalists at the National competition will be named to Team Canada and will compete on the international stage. The 47th WorldSkills Competition will be held in Lyon, France September 10-15, 2024.
Red Deer Polytechnic is the largest educator of skilled trades apprentices outside of Calgary and Edmonton, training between 1,800 and 3,500 apprentices annually.
Ten RDP Apprentices competed in six trades at the Skills Canada Alberta Competition:
Carpentry - Andrew Jacob (4th year), Hunter Baldwin (4th year) and Johnathon Ross (3rd year)
Welding - Ben Rainforth (3rd year)
Plumbing - Jared Gamble (2nd year)
Steamfitter/Pipefitter - Ryley Bakken (1st year)
Sprinkler System Installer - Jared Quast (3rd year) and Joseph Saunderson (3rd year)
Automobile Technology – Hunter Mogee (1st year) and Jacob Buchwitz (1st year)