It was a practical exercise in career-related experiential learning for local students at the area's signature skilled trades event of the year. Georgian College, Owen Sound Collegiate & Vocational Institute and St. Mary's High School in Owen Sound were competition sites for the 11th annual Regional Technological Skills Challenge on Friday, March 27th, which included the participation of 87 Bluewater and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board secondary students enrolled in technological education courses. Coordinated once again by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, there were eight diverse categories that students could test their skills in, ranging from Carpentry and Welding to Culinary and Hairstyling. Local industry judges evaluated the competitors according to industry standards. The day also included tours of the various competition sites for local businesses and industries, while teachers and coaches visited Caframo Limited in Georgian Bluffs and Transcontinental RBW Graphics in Owen Sound to hear firsthand from local industries about some of the current realities and opportunities for students in the skilled trades.

Here are the results for this year's challenge. Top scoring students will advance to district challenges in April while others will compete provincially in May at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo.

Auto Service Technology
1st – Ethan Raymond, Walkerton District Community School
2nd – John Bulsink, St. Mary's High School
3rd – Tyler Dunn, John Diefenbaker Senior School

Carpentry – Team of Two
1st – Benjamin Harrison & Damian Walker, Chesley District Community School
2nd – Matthew Walter & Garett Schular, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – Keegan Angel & MacKenzie Krotz, Chesley District Community School

Culinary
1st – Daniel Kolaska, Kincardine District Secondary School
2nd – Summer Camerson, St. Mary's High School
3rd – Rachelle Ruetz, Sacred Heart High School

Electrical
1st – Shiann Booth, Saugeen District Secondary School
2nd – Coby Stanley, Saugeen District Secondary School
3rd – Andrew Devison, Saugeen District Secondary School

Hairstyling
1st – Brittany Barker, Owen Sound Collegiate & Vocational Institute
2nd – Kylie-Anne Loucks, Owen Sound Collegiate & Vocational Institute
3rd – Olivia Convay, Kincardine District Secondary School

Precision Machining
1st – Matthew Vansickle, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – Andrew Brillinger, John Diefenbaker Senior School
3rd – Ben Klages, Sacred Heart High School

Small Powered Equipment
1st – Matt Schmidt, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – Declan Mowle, Kincardine District Secondary School
3rd – Lucas Bulsink, St. Mary's High School

Welding
1st – Michael MacLennan, Sacred Heart High School
2nd – William Sprott, Grey Highlands Secondary School
3rd – Brendan Crispin, Sacred Heart High School

source: Bluewater District School Board