What an amazing day at the Skills Canada BC Competition at the Abbotsford Tradex on April 15, 2025.
This was our first year working with this event. It was great to see students, teachers, and employers come together to explore hands-on learning and different career paths.
Through the MentorAbility Activity Fund, we supported 33 participants with scholarships to attend the event. This helped remove financial barriers so people could fully take part in the event.
A big highlight was the “Try a Trade” area. Participants didn’t just watch, they took part. They built and created different items, and many left proudly holding what they made. It showed how powerful hands-on learning can be.
One participant shared:
“I got to try welding for the first time and enjoyed the experience. In fact, I went back twice to try it again. I was able to learn about protective equipment and learn more about the skill set needed.”
Another participant said:
“It was very informative and has helped me figure out what I would like to go back to university to learn. It gave me the opportunity to try skills I have never tried before, such as soldering.”
We were excited to have Disabled and Proud provide the low-sensory space. It was a very popular area and the most challenging, but we learned a lot and look forward to making it better for future events.
Thank you to Steps Forward for being there throughout the day. They shared information about post-secondary options, supported our exhibit table, and helped start great conversations with participants.
It was a long, busy day, and having partners there made a big difference.
Before and during the event, we noticed some accessibility challenges at the venue. While there is still work to do, it was a good learning experience. It was great to work with people who were open to feedback and wanted to make improvements for the future. These conversations are important because they help turn ideas about accessibility into real change.
We also made many new connections at the event. These will help support MentorAbility and build stronger partnerships in the employment sector going forward.
We are looking forward to working with the Skills Canada team again to build on what we learned and make next year even better and more accessible.
Keep an eye on our social media throughout May. We will be sharing stories from participants who attended Skills Canada BC. These will include their experiences, key moments, and how hands-on learning and career exploration helped them on their employment journey.
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