More than 300 secondary school students from across the Niagara region will gather on March 4 for the 28th annual District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Technological Skills Challenge, hosted at Niagara College.
The competition will take place across two Niagara College locations — the Welland Campus and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Students representing 16 DSBN high schools will compete in over 30 skilled disciplines, ranging from 3D character animation and coding to culinary arts, hairstyling and welding. Each event will be staged in Niagara College’s specialized training labs and facilities, designed to mirror real-world industry environments.
“Niagara College is proud to partner with the DSBN to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a real-world learning environment,” said Duane Bender, Dean, Media, Trades and Technology at Niagara College. “Events like the Technological Skills Challenge allow students to apply their classroom learning using industry-standard equipment, explore career pathways, and gain the confidence they need to pursue futures in the skilled trades and technologies.”
Faculty and staff from Niagara College’s Schools of Trades, Technology, Media, Culinary Arts, and Environment and Horticulture will collaborate with DSBN educators to oversee the day’s events. The College’s Career Services team will also support the initiative. Throughout the competition, students will receive direct, constructive feedback aimed at sharpening their abilities and preparing them for future opportunities in the trades and technology fields.
Participants will engage in industry-based tasks using professional-grade tools and equipment, while being evaluated according to established industry standards. Industry mentors will assess performances, offering practical insight and creating opportunities for students to connect with potential employers and sector professionals.
“Throughout the year, students learn alongside highly skilled technology teachers through hands-on, experiential learning that builds technical expertise, confidence, and problem-solving skills,” said Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, DSBN Technology, Skilled Trades and SHSM Consultant. “The DSBN Skills Challenges highlight student creativity and innovation while offering meaningful, real-world experiences that showcase the wide range of exciting career opportunities available within the skilled trades and technologies.”
Top performers will move on to the provincial stage. Gold medal winners from the DSBN event will advance to the Skills Ontario Competition in early May at the Toronto Congress Centre. Provincial gold medalists will then represent Team Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition later in the month.
Additional details about the DSBN Technological Skills Challenge are available online.
