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Red Deer Polytechnic celebrates apprentices

Red Deer Polytechnic has honoured its apprentices who medalled at Skills Canada competitions this year.
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On Thursday, Red Deer Polytechnic honoured the apprentices who medalled at provincial and national Skills Canada competitions this year. (Contributed photo)

Red Deer Polytechnic has honoured its apprentices who medalled at Skills Canada competitions this year.

In 2022, RDP apprentices earned three gold, two silver and three bronze medals at Skills Canada Alberta and two gold medals at Skills Canada National competitions.

The two national gold medallists, Dayton Playford (welding) and Tristen Hatto (electrical installations) went on to represent Canada at WorldSkills International competitions.

“The training, the intensity and the knowledge you get from these competitions is unbelievable. I highly recommend if you’re an apprentice and you have the opportunity to compete in one of these competitions that you take it. It’s amazing and you never know where it’ll take you,” said Hatto.

Both Playford and Hatto are working in their respective industries today.

On Thursday, the two apprentices joined RDP officials for a banner-unveiling ceremony at RDP’s main campus.

“Today’s event not only celebrated the accomplishments of Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices, but it provided an opportunity for us to thank our partners for their contributions to the success of our learners,” said Stuart Cullum, RDP president.

“Each of the student’s employers, along with Skills Canada Alberta, play integral roles in the training of RDP Apprentices by providing opportunities and resources that complement the Polytechnic’s programming. These collaborations are vital in developing skilled trades workers and fulfilling labour market demands that contribute greatly to the economic prosperity of Alberta.”

RDP’s other Skills Canada Alberta medallists were: Jake Ewashen (gold in sprinkler and fire protection services), Andrew Jacob (silver in carpentry), Brendan Hermary (silver in sprinkler and fire protection services), Hunter Baldwin (bronze in carpentry), Wyatt Richardson (bronze in sprinkler and fire protection services) and Bren Rainforth (bronze in welding).

Chris Browton, Skills Canada Alberta executive director, said RDP’s medal haul was an impressive feat.

“You would expect the NAITs and the SAITs from the big centres to produce. RDP has stepped up to the plate and the results are there. They’re a very strong performer,” said Browton.

“I feel like this is the starting point for these guys. There’s new leadership here at the (polytechnic) very much behind supporting the students and supporting the faculty. I think we’re going places.”

The next Skills Canada Alberta competition for post-secondary students will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre May 3-4, 2023.



sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com

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Sean McIntosh

About the Author: Sean McIntosh

Sean joined the Red Deer Advocate team in the summer of 2017. Originally from Ontario, he worked in a small town of 2,000 in Saskatchewan for seven months before coming to Central Alberta.
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