Congratulations to BCIT students Ayden Meinhardt and Eric Wu for representing Team BC in winning gold at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) that took place in Quebec City on May 30 and 31. BCIT Mechatronics and Robotics student Ayden competed in the Electronics category, while BCIT Electrical student Eric competed in the Automation and Control category. Eric, as a local resident in Maple Ridge, and Ayden, as a resident in Surrey, are both proud to have represented BC on a national level.
The annual Skills Canada National Competition is the only multi-trade and technology competition of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country. This year, over 500 students and apprentices from across Canada came together to compete for the title of national champion in over 40 trades and technology skills categories.
Ayden, who is a returning competitor at Skills Canada National, said winning Gold at the national-level has been an exciting journey.
“This was my third year competing at the national-level and my fifth year of being involved with Skills Canada. Throughout these five years I have been given an amazing opportunity to test and improve my skills, in addition to learning new skills and techniques. Every single competition that I took part in was always a fun and enjoyable experience, regardless of how I placed at the end. Two years ago, I placed Bronze at nationals, and last year I placed Silver. This year was my first time competing at the post-secondary level and I managed to place Gold in all of Canada,” shared Ayden.
He added, “I am proud of the abilities that I’ve gained over the years and I am extremely grateful to all my instructors and mentors, both in high school and at BCIT, who have helped guide me to where I am today.”
Ayden gives special thanks to his close and friends and family as he said, “I have always found strength and been motivated by my close friends and family, but this year especially I had the support of my fellow classmates at BCIT. Going into the post-secondary version of the competition I was afraid, but it was my peers at BCIT, who have seen my work in class and those who I’ve helped, who gave me confidence.”
Gold recipient Eric shared that in addition to winning in the Automation and Control category, he was also awarded the RBC Best of Region Award for British Columbia. The RBC Best of Region Awards were awarded at the Skills Canada National Competition to the competitor with the best weighted score from each province and territory. As a recipient of this award, Eric will receive $1,500 towards his education and future career in the trades.
“I found competing stressful at first, but once I got into it, it was fun,” said Eric, who qualified at the Skills BC Provincial Competition earlier this spring. “Lot of practice and preparation allowed me to succeed.”
“I will be using my $1,500 RBC Best of Region Award towards tuition and my education,” said Eric. “My goal is to get a red seal certification.”
As for Ayden’s next steps in his education and career, he shared, “Since I finally placed Gold at the National competition, I’ve decided to step back from competing and allow others to enjoy the experience that I’ve had at Skills Canada. I will miss the joy of competing and being surrounded by others who share my passion, but in the coming years I will be going to the other side of the competition; volunteering and assisting in running the competition so that others may have the same opportunity that I’ve had.”