The Vancouver School Board had a sizable presence at this year's Provincial Skills Competition. Dozens of students from Vancouver schools competed in a range of events in Abbotsford's TradeX Centre on April 9.

The competition was run by Skills Canada BC, a non-profit organization and registered charity composed of volunteers representing - industry, labour, education and government dedicated to promoting and enhancing the perceived value of professional technical and trade skills among British Columbia's youth.

"Skills Canada competition brings together the best and brightest youth from all over BC to compete and represent their province," says Karen Larsen, the district's coordinator for career studies.

Larsen says that over 8,000 spectators came to watch the competitions on April 15th.

"Events like the Skills competition aim to raise the profile of careers in trades and technology," she says. 

The gold medal winners will advance to the Skills Canada national competition set to take place May 27-30. The following is a breakdown of the VSB's top competitors this year:

Auto Service Tech

Silver: Ian Villalon, Tupper   ACE IT  

Auto Collision Repair

Bronze: Sathy Karunaneithi, David Thompson  ACE IT 

Auto Painting

Gold: Lester Garcia, Tupper  ACE IT

Silver: Juan Acierda, Tupper ACE IT

Bronze: Steven Shai, Windermere ACE IT 

Fashion Design Technology

Gold: Coco Yu, Hamber

Silver: Kimberly Boucher, Hamber 

Graphic Design

Gold: Tiffany Quon, Hamber

Hairdressing

Gold: Vya Bolislis, VT   ACE IT

Silver: Tereeza Matti VT  ACE IT 

Baking

Gold: Clarissa Roque, Hamber

WorkSafe Award for safest baker: Clarissa Roque

Public Speaking

Gold: Zak Vescera, Hamber 

Job Search

Gold: Molly MacLeay, Churchill"�Silver: Delon Chan, Hamber

Bronze: Noah Samson, David Thompson

Workplace Safety

Gold: Tera Meschino, Kitsilano