Black Gold students sweep the podium at Skills Alberta competition
Students from Black Gold School Division delivered a standout performance at this year’s Skills Canada Alberta competition, earning all three podium spots in Precision Machining as well as several placements in the top 10 within a variety of fields.
13 Black Gold students took part in the provincial event, joining competitors from across Alberta at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in a large-scale skills competition, earlier this month. The annual event challenges students to apply technical knowledge, problem-solving, and precision under timed, high-pressure conditions.
One Black Gold student will now advance to the Skills Canada National Competition, where they will represent Alberta on the national stage. Adam Peterson, a student from Calmar Secondary Collegiate School, placed first in Precision Machining.
Students from Leduc Composite High School and École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School also participated. They represented Black Gold in Cabinetmaking, Graphic Design, Electrical Installations, Workplace Safety, and Junior High Culinary.
The Skills Canada competition brings together students in a wide range of skilled trades and technology categories. These include areas such as machining, welding, carpentry, robotics, culinary arts, and design-based technologies. Each contest is evaluated by industry professionals who assess students based on accuracy, safety, efficiency, and overall workmanship.
“We are proud of all of the Black Gold students who participated in provincial Skills,” says Erin Tisdale, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Black Gold School Division. “Learning alongside skilled tradespeople gives our students an exciting and solid foundation for their career journey.”
CSCS Principal, Justin Klaassen says this year’s competition highlighted both the school’s strong machining tradition and the growth of new trades opportunities through the collegiate program. “It was really cool to see some new areas being represented for us as well,” said Klaassen. “We had a student compete in Electrical, and we’d love to see that continue to develop within our school.”
Klaassen says Precision Machining is one of the most technically demanding categories. Students in this event work with specialized equipment to shape and produce metal components that must meet exact measurements. Success depends on careful planning, strong math skills, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot under pressure.
Taking first, second, and third place in the category reflects not only individual skill, but also the strength of classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities available to students in the division’s Career and Technology Studies programs. These programs are designed to connect learning directly to career pathways in the trades and technical industries.
Darren Roth, who has taught machining and other classes at CSCS for 28 years, says seeing Calmar students sweep the podium in Precision Machining was a proud moment after years of work in the shop classroom.
“The doors that can open for these students by doing well at this sort of thing—businesses are basically lining up to hire these kids once they get done,” he says. “Seeing their dedication pay off like this is always gratifying.”
Across all events, Black Gold students demonstrated professionalism and focus as they worked through complex challenges alongside their peers from across the province. The experience also gave students the opportunity to see how their skills compare at a provincial level and to gain insight into future career possibilities.
As one student prepares for nationals all of the Division’s competitors leave the provincial event with more experience, greater confidence, and a clearer sense of where their skills can take them next.