After winning gold at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo, Centre Wellington student Aydan Csuhai traveled to Mississauga on June 4 to compete in the nationals.
The Fergus resident won gold in Small Powered Equipment in the competition at Rim Park, which gave him the opportunity to represent Team Ontario at the International Centre in Mississauga.
Those who know the 17-year-old say he has been obsessed with anything with a motor from an early age.
Csuhai recently graduated from Centre Wellington District High School and will be working at Fergus Welding for the summer.
Wellington County was well represented at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, with two other area students taking home silver medals.
On May 5, 6, and 7, over 1,900 elementary, secondary and post-secondary students from across Ontario were able to prove they are the best of the best in their skilled trade.
The 25th annual event– Canada’s largest skilled trades competition— took place at RIM Park in Waterloo. With over 65 contests onsite, competitors battled sparks in the welding contest, built pool sheds in the home and team building contest, and constructed robots in the robotics contest. The oversized building swelled with over 20,000 spectators, including educators, parents, politicians, industry leaders, the general public, and the competitors themselves.
Winners were presented with gold, silver and bronze medals, with some also receiving monetary awards and many are now eligible to head to the National Competition in Toronto from June 4 to 7. From there, competitors are eligible to advance to the WorldSkills Competition to be held Brazil next year.
The competition receives over $7 million in in-kind donations from industry, and pumps approximately $3.5 mil-lion into the local economy.
Skills Canada – Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the skilled trades and technologies as viable career options for Ontario youth. Throughout the year, they promote the skilled trades and technologies through in-school presentations, the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), a cardboard boat race, women’s networking dinner and conference, and Aboriginal initiatives.
Zack Henshall of Elora won silver in Auto Painting. He is currently a student at Mohawk College.
Darrin Crouse of Fergus won silver in Brick Masonry. He is currently a student at Conestoga College.
