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Skillz & Thrillz: Alberta's Trade & Tech Youth
Through in-depth conversations, we aim to provide valuable advice and insightful perspectives on the impact of the Skills Canada competitions on the careers and lives of our guests. Join us as we explore the journeys of Alumni and many others and uncover the lasting effects of their participation in the Skills Canada Competitions.
The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Skills Canada Alberta or its affiliates. Our goal is to provide a platform for the diverse and unique perspectives and experiences of our Alumni and others in the Skills community. Overall, we are celebrating their experiences and journeys in the trades, technologies, and our competitions. The “Skills Canada Alberta” name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
Episodes
26 episodes
Full Voltage Focus: Keegan Sturge's Electrical Journey to Team Canada
Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!In this episode, we sit down with Keegan Sturge, who will be representing Canada in Electrical Installations at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.Hailing from Fort McMurray, Kee...
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Episode 26
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49:23
Cut, Carve, Compete: Tate McGarry's Path to Team Canada
Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Tate McGarry, who will be representing Canada in Cabinet Making at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.Tate’s love for woodworking started ...
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Episode 25
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25:58
Fueled by Passion: Carter Kokot's Road to Team Canada
Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Carter Kokot, who will be representing Canada in Automobile Technology at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.Carte...
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Episode 24
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42:04
Forged in Fire: The Welding Journey of Team Canada's Lucas Stang
Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Lucas Stang, who will be representing Canada in Welding at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Lucas’s journey began at Red Deer...
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Episode 23
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30:02
Soaring to New Heights with Team Canada: Benjamin Jamison's Aerospace Journey
Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Benjamin Jamison, who will be representing Canada in Aerospace Technology. Benjamin shares his passion for aircr...
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Episode 22
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20:16
Fueling Success: Luke Emeny's Journey through Heavy Vehicle Tech to Team Canada
Welcome to the first episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Luke Emeny, who will be representing Canada in Heavy Vehicle Technology. Luke shares his Skills journey, from trai...
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Episode 21
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36:12
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Sisters in Insulation: Breanne & Kehli Warrington on Competing, Learning, and Working Together
Breanne and Kehli Warrington are sisters in the trade! Together, they’ve built their careers in Mechanical Insulation — studying side by side at NAIT, working on-site together, and most recently, competing together at the 2025 Provincial Skills...
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Episode 20
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40:52
Bots, Gears, and Glory: Kade & Marek's Robotics Ride
In this episode, we sit down with Kade Hamre and Marek Fournier from Brooks Composite High School, the robotics duo who powered their way to gold at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition—earning a spot on Team Alberta—and went on...
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Episode 19
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31:35
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Amped Up: Diego's Electronics Journey from Circuits to Competition
In this episode, we sit down with Diego De Dominicis Barrios, gold medalist in Electronics Secondary at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. His win earned him a spot on Team Alberta for the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in ...
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Episode 18
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40:18
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One Brick at a Time: Mikayla Hannesschlager's Journey of Confidence and Competition
In this episode, we chat with Mikayla Hannesschlager, gold medalist in Bricklaying at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition and proud member of Team Alberta at the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina. Mikayla shares her jo...
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Episode 17
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42:30
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In Focus: Rachel Turner's Lens on Success
In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Turner, gold medalist at the 2018 Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Photography and bronze medalist at Nationals—as she shares her inspiring journey through the world of Skills competitions and bey...
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Episode 16
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44:13
Currents of Change: Zack Hartle on Competing, Teaching, and Empowering the Industry
In this episode, we sit down with Zack Hartle, a Skills Canada Alberta alumnus, two-time gold medalist in Industrial Control, Electrical Trades Instructor at SAIT, and co-host of the Watts the Word podcast. Zack shares his inspir...
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Episode 15
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51:23
Nailing the Interview: Veronica Kjolberg's Job Search Skills for Success
In this episode, we sit down with Veronica Kjolberg, a proud Skills Canada Alberta alumna whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Veronica competed in 2022 and 2023, capturing gold at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg...
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Episode 14
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48:10
Pro Tips for Provincial Success: Advice from Skills Alumni
In this episode, we’re taking a look back at some of the incredible advice shared by Skills Canada Alberta alumni featured in past episodes. Whether you're gearing up for the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition or preparing for future com...
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Episode 13
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9:15
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Wired, Crafted, & Connected: Laine and Taylor's Friendship Forged at Skills
In our first-ever joint episode, we’re joined by Laine Van Hardeveld and Taylor Desjardins, two standout Skills alumni whose paths crossed in the most inspiring way. Laine, a Mechatronics and Millwrights competitor and Skills Canada Alberta’s 2...
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Episode 12
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51:53
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Fake Cuts, Real Skills: Brittany's Job Skill Demo and Aesthetics Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Kellow, a Teaching Assistant at the Aesthetics Institute, whose Skills story began in 2018 with a creative special effects makeup demonstration in the Job Skill Demonstration competition. After refinin...
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Episode 11
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40:10
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Manufacturing the Future: Tim Wong on Competition, Teaching the Trade & Skills
In this episode, we sit down with Tim Wong, whose Skills journey began in high school and continued into post-secondary. In 2016, he competed at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition, placing 1st and earning a spot on Team Alberta. He went o...
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Episode 10
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29:47
Sew It Begins: Amy Herndon's Rise in Fashion & Film
In this episode, we sit down with Amy Herndon, a Skills Canada Alberta alum whose passion for fashion has taken her from competition runways to film and television sets! Amy competed in Fashion Technology in 2012/2013, winning gold at the Provi...
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Episode 9
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26:03
Cool Under Pressure: Tyler Cherkowski's Path from Skills to the World Stage
In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Cherkowski, a passionate and talented competitor in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Tyler’s journey through Skills competitions has been nothing short of incredible—he won gold at the 2023 Provincial ...
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Episode 8
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37:14
The Final Cut: Sierrah Bennett's Creative Journey in Video Production and Photography
In this episode, we sit down with Sierrah Bennett, a gold medalist in video production at both the provincial and national Skills Canada competitions. Growing up in Lloydminster, Sierrah never let the size of her hometown define the scope of he...
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Episode 7
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48:29
Mastering the Art of Speaking with Lubna: Confidence, Connection, and Team Spirit
In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Lubna Ismail, a Public Speaking alumna who captivated audiences with her eloquence and energy. After earning silver at provincials, Lubna went on to achieve national success, winning gold at the 20...
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Episode 6
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39:06
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Pipes, Pressure, & Perseverance: Euan MacKinnon's Journey to Gold
In today’s episode, we chat with Euan MacKinnon, a determined pipefitter whose journey through the Skills Canada competitions is nothing short of inspiring. After placing fourth at the 2023 National Skills Canada Competition in Winnipeg, Euan s...
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Episode 5
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40:52
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From Sauté to Soufflé: Paisley’s Culinary and Baking Adventure
In this episode, we’re joined by the exceptionally talented Paisley Gatfield, an alumna who has mastered both the culinary and baking worlds. Paisley’s impressive competition history includes gold medals in both Culinary and Baking, as well as ...
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Episode 4
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46:14
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Bronze & Beyond: Ben Rainforth's Inspiring Welding Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Ben Rainforth, a true champion in the world of welding and a WorldSkills Bronze Medalist. Ben shares his incredible journey, starting as a young attendee at WorldSkills Calgary, to winning bronze in Welding at ...
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Episode 3
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40:24
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Sketches to Skylines: Jacob's Story in Architectural Technology & Design
In this episode, we’re joined by Jacob Waldbillig, an Architectural Technology and Design powerhouse, who went from silver to gold at the Skills competitions and earned the incredible chance to compete nationally in Halifax. Now the chair of th...
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Episode 2
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41:13
