Abbotsford Hosts 31st Annual B.C. Skills Competition

Abbotsford, BC – April 9, 2025 – Students are gearing up again to compete in the 2025 Skills Canada BC Provincial trades and technology competitions on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Tradex in Abbotsford, marking the 31st anniversary for Skills Canada BC. 

Over 600 secondary and post-secondary students who medaled at 13 Regionals from around the province will now compete in a wide variety of trades and technology competitions from carpentry, plumbing, electrical, baking, welding, graphic design, 3D animation, robotics and more. 

Thousands of students, educators and the general public will also attend as spectators to watch the competitions, try some interactive, hands-on activities and visit the Pathways to Careers Showcase. Admission to Tradex is free and the Pathways to Careers Showcase will run from 8:30am to 3:00pm. 

Gold medalists from the Provincial competition will become part of Team BC and compete at the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan, May 29 and 30, 2025. 

“The Skills competitions celebrate and reward students for their excellence in skilled trades and technologies. By working closely with industry partners and post-secondary schools to design and evaluate competition tasks, we ensure that training remains directly aligned with workforce needs" says Dennis Innes, President of Skills Canada BC. 

The interactive and engaging environments at the competitions also highlight potential skilled trades and technology careers to the thousands of students, educators and spectators that attend. 

“Through dynamic skills training opportunities such as the competitions, we are laying the framework and empowering students to enhance their abilities and confidently prepare for a successful future.”, says Michelle Skelly, Executive Director, Skills Canada BC. 

"According to B.C.’s latest Labour Market Outlook report, there are over 100,000 skilled trades job openings expected in the next ten years," says Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC. "It's a great time to get started in skilled trades and participation is growing amongst young people, with nearly 11,000 youth participating in trades training across B.C. We're excited to work with Skills Canada BC on the provincial competition, providing great opportunities for students to not only demonstrate their skills and knowledge but also learn more about the rewarding career path of skilled trades." 

For more information please visit www.skillscanada.bc.ca 

Skills Canada BC appreciates the funding support from SkilledTradesBC, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and the partners and volunteers that enables the competitions to take place.