Horticulture Students Win Silver at Skills Competition

Three students in the Horticulture Technician program traveled to compete in the Canadian Skills Competition (CSC) held this year in Calgary, Alberta from May 25 to 28.  Congratulations to Erin Van Dooren, Brian Bailey and student coach Mike Melo for placing second, earning the silver medal.


The CSC is a national, multi-trade and technology competition for over 500 students and apprentices across the country. The event provides competitors with hands-on experience in 40 trade and technology fields. It raises awareness of the skilled trades industry as students vie to be crowned the best in their chosen discipline.    

The Fanshawe team participated in the Landscape Garden Construction competition. They worked together to create a garden over two days alongside six other teams, all working with the same design and amount of time to complete the project. The event was judged on safety, technical knowledge, teamwork, initiative and accuracy of work.

Participating in national events such as this is part of the Horticulture Technician curriculum. Students participate every second year to allow for fundraising initiatives, as they must compete at local, regional and provincial competitions to content to represent the province. The CSC then selects Canadian representatives for the World Skills Competition.

"Every second year the Worlds are held," says Michael Pascoe, Horticultural faculty member who accompanied the students in Calgary. "The competition is then much more challenging as we are competing with the best from each province. Patrick Callon, Field Construction teacher, coached the students in preparation over several weeks and we are all very proud of the team."