Confederation College Students Participate in Skills Ontario Competition

THUNDER BAY, ON, June 1,  2023 –  Two Confederation College students recently competed in the annual Skills Ontario Competition at the Toronto Congress Centre. Participating students have a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and demonstrate their expertise during the 2-day event.

Avienda Wiebe and Ainsley Carr, both 2023 Aviation Technician, Aircraft Maintenance graduates, represented Confederation College. They competed against 11 other students from five other Ontario colleges. Their competition included demonstrating competencies in engine work, composite inspection, electrical fabrication and troubleshooting, safety lockwire, aircraft aluminum sheet and metal fabrication.

Despite the tough competition, Avienda was able to secure the bronze medal for Ontario, an impressive feat that showcases her exceptional skills and dedication to her craft.

"My year started with excitement as I entered 2nd year of aircraft maintenance engineering 6 months pregnant and gave birth in November” Avienda explained. “Being selected to compete in Skills Ontario 2023 and coming home with a bronze medal was a rewarding experience. I am incredibly thankful for the support of my professors and family which made it possible for me to persevere through the challenges I faced." 

The impressive performance at Skills Ontario brings pride to the program and its faculty. Having representation at a provincial level will inspire other students to consider a career in aircraft maintenance, as well as helps market Confederation College on a national level.

"Our students have been involved in this competition for several years,” explained

Professor of Aviation, John Grandell. “It's an exhilarating event for both our students and faculty. The competition is rigorous and serves as an opportunity to display the exceptional abilities of our students. Avienda and Ainsley were outstanding representatives of our school, and we are extremely proud of their achievements," added Grandell.

-30- 

Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has seven regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, as well as a growing Distance Education division. 

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full- and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $707.3 million annually.