More than 1,000 students from the Upper Grand District School Board are heading to the University of Guelph on April 7, 2026, to put their technical and creative skills to the test during the annual Elementary Skills Competition.
Held at the university’s W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre, the event brings together students from Grades 4 through 8 to participate in hands-on challenges. The competition features eight different categories, including robotics, construction, green energy, and video production, giving young learners a chance to showcase their problem-solving abilities outside of the classroom.
The competition is part of a broader effort to introduce students to potential career paths in skilled trades and technology. With projections suggesting that Ontario will need up to 500,000 new workers in these fields over the next decade, these early experiences are designed to help students discover new interests and build confidence in their technical skills.
Charles Benyair, the board’s technological education lead, notes that the event is an important opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in meaningful ways. Success at this regional level can also lead to further opportunities, as winners move on to compete at the provincial Skills Ontario competition in Toronto this May.
The W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre, which has served the university campus since 1957, provides the space for these students to engage with specialized equipment and collaborative challenges. This annual gathering continues to grow, reflecting a local commitment to supporting student pathways into the skilled trades.
