Grade 11 student Richard Staples was pleased to walk away with bronze for electrical wiring at the Skills Alberta competition in Edmonton last week.
Staples, who lives just outside of Innisfail, has been taking courses in his trade since Grade 10. When in Edmonton May 10 and 11 he had 10 hours, spread over two five-hour blocks, to complete a list of wiring projects.
“I had to do some residential wiring and commercial,” said Staples of his task. “I had enough time to complete it; it wasn't too bad of a problem,” he said.
Staples is following in the footsteps of his brother, who took bronze last year when he was in Grade 12. As this was Staples' first time, he's looking forward to going again next year.
“I was pleased with third. When I looked around at the other projects it looked like I was up against some good competition.”
Staples' teacher Leigh Smithson, at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, explained that the skills competition is “a showcase of talent like Olympics for trades and technology.”
He said it's a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the competition and see the other trades that are out there. Thirty disciplines were represented at the show.
“It's really an amazing competition. It's a lot of work and a lot of fun.” He said Staples has a good chance of returning again next year.
Staples first won bronze at regionals earlier in May, giving him the opportunity to compete in provincials. Gold medal winners from provincials competed in the Skills Canada competition, also held in Edmonton last Monday and Tuesday.
