A local student from École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School was among 12 students from the Black Gold School Division who showcased their technical talents at the 2026 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. The event took place May 6 and 7 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, where students from across the province competed in various trade and technology categories.
Alyana B represented the Beaumont high school by competing in the graphic design category. During the two-day competition, students worked on projects designed by industry experts in fields such as precision machining, electrical installations, culinary arts, job search, workplace safety, and cabinet making.
Participation in this event highlights the growing importance of skilled trades training for local youth. According to Work Alberta Trades, citing the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, the province is expected to require 26,000 new journeypersons and 51,000 new apprentices by the end of 2026 to meet industry demand.
For the competing students, the event serves as a path to further opportunities. Gold medalists at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition are appointed to Team Alberta, making them eligible to compete at the national level and potentially qualify for the WorldSkills International competition.
Other division students also participated in the event, including several from Calmar Secondary Collegiate, which has recently expanded its facilities to better support hands-on trades training. These provincial competitions provide a platform for students to demonstrate the skills needed for future careers in high-demand trades.
