“Skills Canada made me realize I’m good at welding, so I decided to keep going with it.”

This is the second time Calvin Getchelle of Saint Stephen found himself on the podium at the national Skills Canada competition. The first time was in 2015 as a grade 12 student when he won silver for his welding skills. In 2016, Calvin proudly hoisted the New Brunswick flag as a silver medalist, this time, as a New Brunswick Community College student.

It was a provincial skills Canada that initially sparked Calvin’s interest in the trades. “In grade eleven, a teacher asked me if I’d be interested in competing in skilled trades. The following year I advanced to nationals. Skills Canada made me realize I’m good at welding, so I decided to keep going with it"

Calvin was one of 8 New Brunswickers to get on the podium. We also have operations in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Congratulations to the competitors from those provinces that placed as well. 

Gold for New Brunswick

On our team at JDI we have nearly 1,500 New Brunswick Community College and CCNB graduates working in our operations. Skilled trades are an integral part of our business. Between 2016 and 2018, we plan on hiring 460 people across our operations.

Our Director of Recruitment, Jeff Green, was on site at the skills Canada all week.  Green said he was impressed with the energy, skill and focus of competitors. He looks forward to welcoming some of them to the organization as we’re forecasted to hire 460 people in the skilled trades over the next three years. 

Interested in a career in the trades? See our skilled trades profiles:

Jacques

Samuel 

Jackie