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Teams of four students in Grade 10, 11 and 12, (from the same school) will design and construct a boat and participate in both a boat race and a weight challenge in a pool.

Armed with cardboard, duct tape and a few other odds and ends, students use skill and ingenuity to transform these materials into a vessel for the water. Not only does their "boat" need to be quick, but it must be capable of carrying passengers as well.

Boats are judged on design, quality of construction, team-work/organization, safety/cleanliness, visual appeal, speed and weight capacity. Each race and weight challenge is timed and recorded by a panel of judges.

The experience helps develop new skills, in addition to strengthening leadership, teamwork and problem solving ability.

Cardboard Boat Race - TBA
17th Wing Fitness and Recreation Centre
680 Whytewold Road (St. James)
Winnipeg, MB

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Recognizing that we live in a northern climate, it is time to have some fun and apply our technical skills!

Energized by a 4 person team (grades 7), students will construct a human drawn sled, consisting of cardboard, 2- 2x4's, and a pull rope. Racing through a moto-cross style course, the competition will consist of two trips around the course alternating riders with the pulling team.

This experience will help with the development of new skills, including: leadership, teamwork, problem solving and design. Students, who are up to this challenge, are guaranteed to come out and have a fun filled day.

Thompson, Manitoba - March 18, 2026

For more information, please contact Emily Pruder at emilyp@skillscanada.com

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Delivered by liaison officers in a fun and interactive format, this presentation is offered in person, virtually or you have the choice of being sent a pre-recorded video. It will introduce students to a variety of trade and technology occupations that exist and will equip them with information to make informed career choices related to skilled trade and technology occupations.

Downloads

2025 Skills Activity Book	download
2025 In-School Book	download
2025 - 2026 Information Flyer	download

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Grade 9 and 10 students across Manitoba have an opportunity to use their knowledge, skills, leadership, teamwork and ingenuity to design and build a working model wind turbine in a one-day competition.

Teams of four students from the same school will design and construct a working model wind turbine. The students will be given specific materials to construct the wind turbine and will have approximately two hours of building time at the competition site. However, teams may not pre-construct a model wind turbine to use during the competition.

The model wind turbine will need to be solidly constructed and able to generate electrical power, which will be measured. Wind simulation will be created by a fan situated at a measured distance from the wind turbine being tested.

Model wind turbines are judged in three categories: (a) design; (b) construction; and (c) voltage-generating capacity. Each wind turbine design and construction is judged by a panel of expert judges. Turbine voltage-generating capacity is measured electronically and competitively in a progressive play down. Three trophies are awarded-one for each category.

Model Wind Turbine Competition - Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Red River College Polytech, Notre Dame Campus, South Gym
2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB

Downloads

Model Wind Turbine Competition Flyer	download
Model Wind Turbine Competition Registration Form	download
Model Wind Turbine Competition Information Package	download

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Skills Manitoba in partnership with our Northern Partners, is working to inform northerners about the skills that they need to fill  jobs in the North.

Northern Manitoba Sector Council predicts that the north will need about 2,000 to 2,500 skilled young people ----for all industrial trades----during the next five years.  There is a skilled labour shortage looming  and unemployment crisis in the north.

Skills Manitoba understands that careers in skilled trades make a great first choice career choice.  Our Northern programs will inform students on the hundreds of career opportunities available in the construction, industrial, transportation and technology sectors.

We are pleased to offer engaging, hands on learning opportunities to both middle school and high school students across Manitoba.

We currently are offering:

Northern In-School Program Presentations - September 2025 - June 2026 - Grades 5 - 12

Young Women's Conference - Norway House - October 15, 2025

Young Women's Conference - ONLINE VIA ZOOM - October 22, 2025

Young Women's Grade 6 Trades & Technology Olympics - Flin Flon - Northern Mining Academy - November 5, 2025

Grade 6 Trades and Technology Olympics - Thompson - Thompson Regional Community Centre - November 19, 2025

Northern Manitoba Skills Challenge - Mary Duncan School in The Pas as well as other schools in the North  - February 18, 2026

Extreme Sledding Challenge - Thompson - Thompson Regional Community Centre - March 18, 2026 - Grade 7

Skills Manitoba Competition - Red River College Polytech - April 9, 2026

Grade 8 Northern Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase - Thompson - Thompson Regional Community Centre - April 29, 2026

Grade 8 Northern Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase - The Pas - University College of the North - May 6, 2026 - Grade 8

Skills Canada National Competition - Toronto, Ontario  - May 27 - May 30, 2026

 

For more information on the Northern Programs, please contact  Emily Pruder at emilyp@skillscanada.com 

 

Downloads

Northern In-School Program Flyer	download
Young Women's Conference Flyer - Norway House	download
Young Women's Conference Registration Form - Norway House	download
Young Women's Grade 6 Trades and Technology Olympics Flyer - Flin Flon	download
Young Women's Grade 6 Trades and Technology Olympics Registration Form - Flin Flon	download
Grade 6 Trades and Technology Olympics Flyer - Thompson	download
Grade 6 Trades and Technology Olympics Registration Form - Thompson	download
Extreme Sledding Challenge Flyer - Thompson	download
Extreme Sledding Challenge Registration Form - Thompson	download
Grade 8 Northern Trades and Technology Flyer - Thompson	download
Grade 8 Northern Trades and Technology Registration Form - Thompson	download
Grade 8 Northern Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase Flyer - The Pas	download
Grade 8 Northern Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase Registration Form - The Pas	download

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Each year Skills Manitoba and host schools from around the province come together for a week in February for the Skilled Trades & Technology Showcase.

Host schools welcomes grade eight students from around Manitoba to try hands-on activities in different trade and technology areas, learn about their options for secondary schooling and receive guidance on career planning.

The showcase is a combination of hands-on learning, demonstrations, presentations and fun!

Skilled Trades & Technology Showcases

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School - Thursday, January 29, 2026

 

 

Downloads

Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase Flyer	download
Skilled Trades and Technology Showcase Registration Form	download

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The Conference is a one day event for young women to learn about the many trade and technology careers available in today's employment market.

The conference will highlight different vocations in trades and technology, introduce young women to women mentors working in the trades or technology field and provide employment and career planning information. It will feature entertaining and informative keynote speakers and varied hands-on activities and tours.

The conference will run approximately from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Times may vary dependent upon location.

October 15, 2025 - Assiniboine Community College - Dauphin, Manitoba - Grade 8

November 18, 2025 - Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology - Winnipeg, Manitoba - **High School - Grades 9 and 10

March 4, 2026 - Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Young Women in Technology Conference - Grades 7 - 9

March 25, 2026 - Assiniboine Community College - Brandon, Manitoba - Grade 8

June 10, 2026 - Red River College, Notre Dame Campus - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Young Women in Technology Conference - Grades 6, 7 and 8

TBC - Red River College Polytech, Notre Dame Campus - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Grade 8

 

Downloads

Young Women's Conference Program Flyer 2025/2026	download
Young Women's Conference Registration Form 2025/2026	download
Young Women in Technology Conference MITT Program Flyer	download
Young Women in Technology Conference MITT Registration Form	download
Young Women in Technology Conference Flyer - Red River College Polytech	download
Young Women in Technology Conference Registration Form - Red River College Polytech	download

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Imagine if you could tour a local company and see the creation of a three dimensional design on a computer, see the transfer of the design to a computer numeric control machine and then get to see the finished product? This program will expose students to manufacturing processes from design to the building and assembling of a product and ultimately the marketing and sales process.

Students in Grades 7 to 10 will have the opportunity to tour an exciting, innovative local industry learning about their manufacturing processes which allow them to compete in the global marketplace. The students will spend the remainder of the day at Red River College Polytech touring areas key to manufacturing. They will then create a special project using the information and insight that they have gained throughout the day.

The experience will allow students to observe and try hands-on activities in the many varied areas key to manufacturing in addition to learning about their options for secondary and post-secondary programs so important for career planning.

Youth in Manufacturing Program - Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Red River College Polytech (Notre Dame Campus) - Selkirk Lounge
2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB

Downloads

Youth in Manufacturing Program Flyer	download
Youth in Manufacturing Program Registration Form	download