REGINA — Four students from West Central and southwest Saskatchewan showcased their talents on the national stage during the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition, held May 28–31 in Regina.
More than 500 students and apprentices from across the country competed in over 40 skilled trade and technology events at Mosaic Stadium and the REAL District, with opening ceremonies at the Brandt Centre.
Among them were Jaxen Dudley of Eatonia, Walker Lowe of Kyle, Janiah Aguidan of Swift Current, and Jack Unger of Swift Current. Each competed in highly specialized categories, putting their training to the test in real-world simulations.
Dudley, a Grade 10 student enrolled in the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre and Eaton School, competed in IT Office Software Applications. He completed timed challenges using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint — formatting documents, creating spreadsheets, and designing animated presentations. Dudley narrowly missed a medal, finishing just four points behind third place in his first-ever national appearance.
“It was kind of like the Olympics for school,” he said. “There were ceremonies, team meetings, and even a Roughriders game — it was a great experience.”
Lowe, a Grade 9 student at Kyle Composite School, competed in Workplace Safety, identifying hazards in mock job sites and preparing occupational health reports. He qualified for nationals after earning gold at provincials with a presentation on youth farm safety.
“He was one of the youngest competitors at the event,” said Cindy Lowe, a Saskatchewan DLC teacher and Skills Canada advocate. “The learning curve was steep, but the experience was invaluable.”
Aguidan, a student at Swift Current Comprehensive High School, took part in Fashion Technology, while Unger, also a SCCHS student studying through DLC, competed in Car Painting — sanding, refinishing, and painting damaged vehicle panels under tight deadlines.
“These competitions are intentionally more difficult than classroom projects,” said Lowe. “Students face pressure, manage tools and time independently, and get a true sense of industry expectations.”
Cindy Lowe served as the Saskatchewan chair for IT Software, while SCCHS teacher Marni Gutscher chaired Fashion Technology. Ron Cronan, also with the DLC, was a technical advisor for Dudley.
The competition also included more than 50 Try-A-Trade® activities, giving students and visitors a chance to explore high-demand careers hands-on.
Skills/Compétences Canada, the non-profit organization behind the event, works with governments, educators and industry to promote skilled trades and technology careers. The 2026 national competition is scheduled for Toronto, with Saskatchewan provincials set to return in March.
More information can be found at skillscompetencescanada.com.