A pair of students in Selkirk College’s Welder Foundation Program returned home from the East Kootenay last month with two medals in the annual Skills BC Competition.
Tristan Makeiv and Jacob Streleoff are first-year students at the Silver King Campus in Nelson. Using the skills and education acquired in the first six months of the program, the locals travelled to College of the Rockies in Cranbrook in early-March for the competition that brings together students from across the province.
After both practical and written challenges were completed, Makeiv came away with the welding silver medal and Streleoff with the bronze.
“Watching my students compete is very exciting. It’s like being placed in the real world, if only for a short period,” says Selkirk College Welding Program instructor Colin Makeiv. “The battle for top spot was so very close, to have a silver and bronze medal from Selkirk College is still gold medal standards in this instructor’s eyes.”
The Skills BC Competition has been taking place since 1994 with support from industry, educators, government and labour to promote the rewards of in-demand skilled trade and technology careers.
Selkirk College offers a range of welding program options at the Silver King Campus including Welder Foundation, Youth Train in Trades and three levels of Apprenticeship Welder. Intakes for the programs begin at different times during the year and can find out more information at selkirk.ca/welding.