A Red Deer Polytechnic welding apprentice will show what he can do on a global stage next week.
Dayton Playford will participate in the WorldSkills Competition in Cleveland, Ohio, from Oct. 17-20. He qualified for the international competition after earning gold medals in welding at Skills Canada Alberta and Skills Canada National competitions this past May.
“There will be very strong competition at WorldSkills,” said Playford, who will face off against 30 welding competitors from around the world.
“It will be interesting to see how other countries approach their work and how they accomplish their welding goals. I am looking forward to meeting the competitors and doing the best that I can.”
Lee Yasinski, RDP welding instructor and skills coach, noted apprentices have captured four national gold medals, six provincial golds and one provincial bronze since 2015.
“We use a hybrid competency-based delivery approach, and it embraces the best practices of traditional delivery and online delivery,” said Yasinski.
“The success of the Polytechnic’s Apprentices reflects the entire Welding Department, School of Education and Trades, and Red Deer Polytechnic.”
Playford said he appreciates how the Polytechnic has helped him advance his skills and prepare for WorldSkills.
“RDP has exceptional skilled trades programming which has high-quality people who want the best for students. The whole institution has been supportive of me,” said Playford.
“Lee has been tremendous. He’s trained me over the past few years and has helped me get to WorldSkills.”
With Yasinski’s guidance, Playford has been practising specific timed tasks in preparation for the global competition.
“Dayton’s time training has included passing x-ray welds on both plate and pipe, interpreting blueprints, fabricating pressure vessels subject to a 1,000 PSI hydro test, and fabricating aluminum and stainless steel structures,” Yasinski explained.
“His training has also included developing skills to find the optimum adjustment to his power source.”
WorldSkills is the Olympics of skilled trades competition, Yasinski added.
“Dayton’s success and ability to qualify at the world level reflects his commitment to training, along with family support, local industry support, employer flexibility, Red Deer Polytechnic support and meaningful training,” he said.
Playford and Yasinski were set to fly from Calgary to Cleveland on Thursday.
“Representing Red Deer Polytechnic, central Alberta and Canada is an honour,” said Yasinski.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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