From SAIT to Shanghai: Skills champions set sights on global gold
On the road to 2026 WorldSkills, SAIT competitors prepare to represent Canada after taking home the top prize at regional and national competitions
Students at SAIT are training to be the top competitors in their field and represent Canada at a major international, multi-disciplinary event. And, no, we aren’t talking about the impressive athleticism of a SAIT Trojan. We’re talking about Skills — the global skilled-trades and technology competition.
Those who’ve spent time on campus may have heard about Skills competitions — SAIT is big on the scene. But if you’re not familiar, students from many disciplines train to become best-in-class and compete in Skills on provincial, national and global stages, demonstrating how they have mastered their crafts. It’s a great learning opportunity, an amazing personal and professional experience and a fun way to connect with industry and expertise from a variety of sectors.
The unique journey of Skills comes with a lot of hard work and practice. Competitors put in countless hours refining their craft, whether it’s building cabinets, designing logos or cooking up a complex dish. These young students (under 25 years of age) balance school with consistent training, much like athletes.
During competition, students face new, unfamiliar environments while attempting to complete tasks well beyond their years of experience — in front of judges, other competitors and spectators.
This year, the SAIT results speak for themselves
🛠️ 66 students competed at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton, AB.
🏅 31 medals were earned: 11 gold, 15 silver and five bronze.
🍁 15 SAIT competitors advanced to the National Skills Canada Competition in Regina, SK.
🏅 9 medals were awarded to SAIT competitors: six gold, two silver and one bronze.
🌍 5 SAIT competitors are heading to Shanghai to represent Team Canada at the WorldSkills International Competition in September 2026.
Benjamin Jamison (Aircraft Maintenance) has his sights on the podium at WorldSkills 2026. “The competition in China is going to be intense and an insane amount of fun, but I have a lot of training to do before I get there.
“Winning nationals two years in a row has been an unreal experience — all the lights are on you showcasing the skills you’ve been developing. It’s hard to put the feeling of competing at this calibre to words.”
Where they started ➡️ where they are now
SAIT instructors are always on the look out for new Skills competitors. For students, the first indicator of a future in Skills is excelling in class and expressing an interest in friendly competition. If they meet the age requirement, they’re registered to join Team SAIT to compete alongside approximately 700 young people from across the province at regional Skills. Competitors who take the top prize at the regional competition can join Team Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition.
Each year, more than 500 of Canada’s best in skilled trades and technologies compete in more than 40 skilled trade and technology competitions. And if they place at the national level, competitors under 22 years old (some categories allow up to 25 years old) can join Team Canada at WorldSkills — which takes place every two years.
“Competing at the provincial and national levels and WorldSkills is an extraordinary achievement for our SAIT apprentices — it’s a testament to their dedication and talent, and the exceptional quality of instruction they receive,” says Alan MacLean, Director, Office of Apprenticeship. “These events do more than showcase technical ability. They develop critical problem-solving and teambuilding skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce. For SAIT, it reinforces our reputation as a leader in skilled trades education and apprenticeship excellence.
“Most importantly, it helps elevate the parity of esteem for skilled tradespeople — proving that mastery in the trades deserves the same recognition and respect as any profession.”
SAIT at Skills: A retrospective
- Calgary hosted the 40th WorldSkills Competition in 2009. SAIT’s Competitors’ Village played host to many of the 850 participants from 47 countries.
- SAIT cabinetmaking student Taylor Desjardins had the experience of a lifetime when he represented Canada at the 45th WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia.
- SAIT Culinary Arts grad Korae Nottveit topped the WorldSkills podium in 2022 in Lucerne, Switzerland, bringing home the gold medal for Cooking. Emma Kilgannon won a bronze in Patisserie and Confectionery and Malcome Matwijec won a bronze in Heavy Vehicle Technology.
- SAIT was the most decorated Alberta post-secondary at the 2023 Skills Canada competitions, bringing home 34 medals at provincials and six medals in Winnipeg at nationals.
- SAIT’s Noah Harding, Plumbing, and Tyler Cherkowski, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, joined Team Canada at WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France.
Through Skills Competitions, SAIT students gain a powerful career advantage by embracing a unique approach to skill development. With expert instructors and coaches providing support along the way, competitors push beyond traditional learning to build confidence, strengthen expertise and earn a place as best of the best.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.