SUDBURY – It was another strong performance at the Skills Ontario Competition for Team/Équipe Sudbury – Powered by Manitoulin Transport.

Members of Team/Équipe Sudburywon 13 medals at this week’s event in Toronto: three gold, four silver, and six bronze. 

Skills Ontario hosts Canada’s largest skilled trades competition. Each year, more than 2,400 elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students compete for medals across a variety of categories in the skilled trades.

Team/Équipe Sudburyis comprised of students and teachers from Cambrian College, Collège BoréaI, Rainbow District School Board, Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, and Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord.

Including this year’s results, students with Team/Équipe Sudbury have won a total 57 medals at the Skills Ontario Competition since 2019: 11 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.

Here is the full list of medal winners for this year’s competition:

Gold medals

• Ian Ketcheson – Heavy Equipment Service – Cambrian College
• Evan Archer and Liam Spencer – Powerline Team of two – Cambrian College 
• Hayden Walsh, Carter Baron, Brody Mabbott and Gavin Stuart – Home and Team Building – Team of four – Sudbury Catholic Schools (St. Charles College)

Silver medals

• Esohe Aibangbee – Workplace Safety – Rainbow Schools (Lockerby Composite School)
• Will Gianetto – Heavy Equipment Service – Cambrian College 
• Owen Case – Heating Systems Technician – Cambrian College 
• Brendan Spec and Cowen Lachance – Horticultural and Landscape – Team of two – Rainbow Schools (Lively District Secondary School)

Bronze medals

• Makenna Kay – Mechanical CAD – Cambrian College 
• Brady Bayles – Heating Systems Technician – Cambrian College
• Nicholas Story and Jacob Riddell – Powerline Team of two – Cambrian College
• Bradley Dupras – Plumbing – Collège Boréal
• Hetvi Patel – Aesthetics – Rainbow Schools (Espanola High School) 
• Owen Fex – Heavy Equipment Service – Rainbow Schools (Espanola High School) 

As the title sponsor, Manitoulin Transport plays a key role in supporting the 2026 team and helping to build the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

To learn more about Skills Ontario, visit: https://www.skillsontario.com.

Quotes:

“Opportunities in the skilled trades are essential to the strength of our communities and economy, and it is important that students are given authentic, hands-on experiences to explore these pathways early on,” says Morris Hucal, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are proud that our learners are not only discovering their potential through real-world applications, but in one of Canada’s largest skills competitions. Congratulations to this year’s Skills Ontario medalists, and to all students who competed. Your commitment and passion continue to pave the way for future generations.” 

“This is an extraordinary result for Team/Équipe Sudbury and a proud moment for our entire community,” says Cambrian President Kristine Morrissey. “These students have spent months preparing for this competition, developing the hands-on skills, creativity, and confidence that the skilled trades demand. To see them stand on the podium among the best competitors in Ontario speaks volumes about their dedication and the incredible mentorship they receive from their teachers and instructors.”

“The skilled trades offer future generations a real opportunity for personal and professional growth,” says Boréal President Daniel Giroux. “The Skills Ontario Competition showcased the passion and talent of Greater Sudbury students from local schools and postsecondary institutions, while also highlighting the outstanding preparation of a future workforce that Northern Ontario greatly needs. We congratulate all participants on their success and look forward to the promising and inspiring careers already ahead of them.”

“With hands-on opportunities inside and outside of the classroom, students in Rainbow Schools continue to excel in the trades,” says Bruce Bourget, Director of Education for the Rainbow District School Board. “We are proud of the students who earned the privilege of showcasing their abilities provincially. Students on Team Sudbury who captured top honours have demonstrated that they are among the best in Ontario in their respective fields.  Their success is a tribute to their hard work and the dedication of the teachers and partners who inspire them. The trades have been revitalized in Rainbow Schools, which bodes well for our future.” 

“Hands-on learning experiences are essential in helping students discover their interests and develop the skills needed for their future pathways,” says Carl Dussault, Director of Education at Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord. “Opportunities in skilled trades and applied learning like this also offer a great social component for students. We are very proud of all students who took part in this competition. Sincere thanks to the mentors and staff who supported, guided, and motivated them throughout the process.” 

“Our 25 Nouvelon student ambassadors approached this competition with confidence, teamwork, and skill, thanks to the unwavering support of dedicated teachers who empowered them to compete, innovate and succeed,” says Tom Michaud, Director of Education for Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon. “Their collective passion helped make Team/Équipe Sudbury’s strong performance possible, while showcasing the talent and leadership our students bring beyond the classroom.”

“Manitoulin Transport is proud to power this amazing team once again because we see first-hand how critical skilled trades are to our industry and our economy,” says Jeff Smith, Vice-Chair of Manitoulin Transport and the Manitoulin Group of Companies. “These students represent the future workforce, highly skilled, motivated, and ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Supporting their development is an investment in the strength of our communities and our country.”

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