A Benalto student attending school in Red Deer is planning to make his mark at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto next week.
Arden Nielsen, a Grade 12 Notre Dame High School student competing in the electrical installations event, earned a spot at the competition after a solid showing at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton earlier this month.
He’s one of 65 students who will represent Team Alberta at the national competition June 4 to 7.
Nielsen began taking the classes in Grade 10, and said he was excited about the prospect of competing nationally.
As a member of Team Alberta, he’ll receive $500 from the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Legacy Scholarship, and a further $500 if he wins gold in Toronto.
Shawna Bourke, Skills Canada Alberta director of communications, said, “schools in record numbers are recognizing the importance of developing and supporting students’ individual talents in the trades and technologies.”
More than 700 students competed in 45 different events at the provincial event in Edmonton.