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LYON, FRANCE — Members of Team Canada demonstrated their strengths in skills in the trades and technologies at the WorldSkills Competition recently in Lyon, France.

The competition wrapped up Sunday, Sept. 15 with the official closing ceremonies. Team Canada had 28 competitors attend the competition across 26 skill areas, competing against the best in the world.

Skills Ontario celebrated the achievements of the team, which earned two bronze medals in Welding and Automotive Technology. Eight Canadian competitors also received Medallions for Excellence.

The Medallions for Excellence are awarded to those who achieved scores of 700 points or higher in their respective competitions. The distinction highlights mastery and precision, placing them among the top competitors in the world.

WorldSkills is the largest vocational skills competition globally, bringing together talented young professionals from across the world to compete in various trades and technologies, states a release.

At this year’s contest, about 1,400 competitors from over 70 member countries and regions competed in 59 skill areas for the prestigious title of world champion in their respective trade. The 48th WorldSkills Competition will take place in Shanghai, China in 2028.

The bronze medal winners on the Canadian team were Ben Rainforth, Welding (Alberta) and Anthony Minotti, Automotive Technology (Québec).

Medallions for Excellence were given to Paxton Coghlin and Dillon Kong, Mechatronics (Ontario); Sergio Khoueiry, Mechanical Engineering CAD (Québec); and Émille Robitaille, Aircraft Maintenance (Québec).

The Team Canada Experts, who dedicate and volunteer their time and expertise to assist in training youth, include:

• Jurgen Hierholzer, CNC Milling (Georgian College)
• Bill Speed, Autobody Repair (Road Appraiser)
• Rene Letoile, Bricklaying (Conestoga College)
• Joshua Hamilton, Mechatronics (Conestoga College)
• Louis Anderson, Aircraft Maintenance (CAE)
• Angelo Spano, Heavy Equipment Technology (Centennial College)
• Martin Restoule, Automobile Technology (Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology)
• Jeremy Braithwaite, Mechanical Engineering CAD (Loyalist College)

Ontario Competitor Trainers:

• Mechatronics, Nickolas de Boer and Anthony Nyman (Humber Polytechnic)
• CNC Milling, Brett Austin (Georgian College)