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.

2019 Cardboard Boat Race - December 4, 2019
17th Wing Fitness and Recreation Centre
680 Whytewold Road (St. James)
Winnipeg, MB

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 - February - March, 2020

Delivered by liaison officers in a fun and interactive format, this presentation 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.

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.

2019 Model Wind Turbine Competition - October 30, 2019
Red River College, Notre Dame Campus, South Gym
2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB

Students in elementary and high schools in Winnipeg’s North End neighbourhood will learn more about careers in the skilled trades through an innovative new program. The North End Trades Discovery Initiative is a partnership between Skills Canada Manitoba, the Community Education Development Association (CEDA), the Winnipeg School Division and the Manitoba government. The initiative will co-ordinate a range of programs and activities for students to learn about the skilled trades and gain first-hand experience.

The North End Trades Discovery Initiative has several levels of learning opportunities including:

• trades awareness experiences for Grade 5 and 6 students at David Livingstone, Niji Mahkwa and William Whyte schools with in-school projects and summer camp programs at R.B. Russell Vocational High School;
• opportunities for some Grade 7 and 8 students at Niji Mahkwa involved in the CEDA Pathways to Education Program to go on industry tours and experience an after-school trade activity at R.B. Russell Vocational High School; and
• trades awareness experiences for Grades 9 to 12 students involved in the CEDA Pathways to Education Program at Children of the Earth, R.B. Russell and St. John’s schools such as industry tours, after-school and summer programs, and participation in work co-operatives at social enterprises.

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:

In-School Program Presentations - September 2019 - June 2020 - Grades 5 - 12

Careers North Tour for Educators- The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson  -TBA

Trade and Technology Olympics - Thompson - Grade 6 - November 14, 2019

Young Women's Conference Olympics - Flin Flon - November 26, 2019

2020 Northern Manitoba Skills Challenge - University College of the North, The Pas - February 26, 2020

Young Women's Conferences in Thompson (February 12, 2020) and The Pas (April 22, 2020) - for Grade 8 Girls

Extreme Sledding Competition - Thompson - Grade 7 - February - March 2020

Northern Skilled Trades and Technology Showcases for Boys in Thompson (February 13, 2020) and The Pas (April 23, 2020) - for Grade 8 boys

For more information on the Northern Programs, please contact  Michelle Pruder michellep@skillscanada.com

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

Each day a host school 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 day may also be combined with tours of Manitoba industries so students can learn first hand how skills are applied in the workplace. A brief presentation from "Safe Workers of Tomorrow" may be included in the day.

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

Skilled Trades & Technology Showcases

Various host schools across Manitoba

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School - January 30, 2020

Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School - February 12, 2020

The Young Women's Conference is a one day event hosted in Thompson, The Pas, Brandon, Dauphin, and Winnipeg, which highlights skilled trades and technology occupations.

Young participants meet female mentors working in the trades or technology fields, participate in team-building and hands-on activities, and receive information on employment opportunities and career planning. This conference is intended to provide female role models to young women and to assist them in planning their future career.

The conference also provides guidance to advisors (or parents), that accompany the young women on career planning in a "break-out" session.

Beausejour, Manitoba - October 9, 2019  (Grade 8 students)
Sunrise School Division Offices

Dauphin, Manitoba - October 23, 2019  (Grade 8 students)
Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School

Winnipeg, Manitoba - November 15, 2019  *Note - this conference is for students in Grades 9 and 10
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

Flin Flon, Manitoba - November 26, 2019  - Young Women's Conference Olympics
Northern Manitoba Mining Academy

Thompson, Manitoba - February 12, 2020
Thompson Regional Community Centre

Winnipeg, Manitoba - March 5, 2020  *Note - this conference is for students in Grades 9 and 10
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

Brandon, Manitoba - April 1, 2020 (Grade 8 students)
Assiniboine Community College

Winnipeg, Manitoba - April 9, 2020 (Grade 8 students)
Red River College

The Pas, Manitoba - April 22, 2020
University College of the North

Russell, Manitoba - May 6, 2020
Major Pratt School

Young Women in Technology Conference - Winnipeg, Manitoba - June 11, 2020 (Grades 6, 7 and 8)
Red River College - Skilled Trades and Technology Centre

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 9 and 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 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.

2019 Youth in Manufacturing Program - November 27, 2019
Red River College (Notre Dame Campus – South Gym)
2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB