May 6-8, 2019 Skills Ontario held its annual Skills Competition for Elementary, Secondary and PostSecondary students at the Toronto Congress Center.
Students from the OCDSB and across Ontario competed in 14 elementary contests and 47 secondary contests. Team OCDSB was represented by 52 elementary grade 4-8 students and 30 secondary students.
Students competed in contests related to their classroom studies and in many cases in fields where they see themselves working in the future. Students must come prepared. It takes dedication, practice and the willingness to put in extra time and effort to be successful. Every student or team also has a teacher who works as a mentor and helps support them in their contest.
In many of the contests there are multiple schools interested in sending competitors. In the elementary panel over 400 students competed at LFDSS, on January 29, 2019 for a spot to represent the OCDSB at Skills Ontario. For 2020 the Elementary Skills Prelims will be at the Confederation Education Center and will be bigger than ever. The secondary students participated in contests at Algonquin College, St. Lawrence College and various schools in the OCDSB area to determine who would represent the OCDSB at Skills Ontario.
Grade 7 student Aidan Hicks from Vimy Ridge PS said, “I liked the team work and being able to create something with other students.” This was Vimy Ridges first year participating.
The OCDSB placed in the top 10 in 27 out of 35 contests. 2019 was one of Team OCDSB’s most successful years ever. Ashwin Boni Bangari a student at LDHSS placed 1st at Skills Ontario and went on to represent Team Ontario in Halifax NS at the Skills Canada Contest in May 2019. At Skills Canada Ashwin also placed first in Canada and received a Gold for Mechanical Engineering CADD. Congratulations Ahswin.
The Innovation Team at the OCDSB is looking forward to another great year in 2019/2020 showcasing Skills across the board. Stay tuned for a Skills competitions coming soon.
Schools interested in getting involved are asked to contact Greg Hicks in Innovation and Adolescent Learning.
| 2019 Skills Ontario Results | |
| Elementary | Secondary |
| Silver – Green Energies – Team of 4 – 7&8Silver – Lego Mechanics – Team of 4 – 4-6Silver – Technology – Team of 4 – 7&8Bronze – Character Animation – Team of 4 – 7&8Bronze – TV Video Production -. Team of 2 – 7&84th – Character Animation – Team of 4 – 4-64th – Construction Demo Team of 4 – 7&84th – Lego Robotics Chal. Team of 4 – 4-6 | Gold – Mechanical CADDSilver – 2D Character Animation Team(2)Silver – Graphic Design – Studio ProductionBronze – Job Interview4th – Fashion Design4th – Workplace Safety |
| ****Ashwin Boni Bangari of LDHSS went on to represent Team Ontario at Skills Canada in Halifax and came first in Canada in Mechanical Engineering CADD **** |