Tuesday, October 4, 2011, Calgary, Alberta – The eyes of the world will be on London next summer to watch top athletes compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. But, this week, the focus will be on another international competition taking place in the city — WorldSkills.

Fourth-year SAIT electrician apprentice, Tim Twa is representing Canada at the ‘Skills Olympics’. 

“I’m excited to go to London to be a part of Team Canada,” says Twa. “Skills competitions have taught me much more than skills in my trades they have helped me grow as a person.”

Beginning Oct. 5, it will be Twa’s electrical skills that are put to the test against competitors from more than 50 countries. He will complete in three separate electrical installations representing residential and industrial challenges commonly faced in the workplace.

To earn a spot on Team Canada, Twa won gold in the electrical installations category at the Provincial and National level in 2010 and 2011.

To prepare for London, Tim has been training every day for the past two months with SAIT electrical instructor, Derek Ollen.   

“For my training we follow the same guidelines and specifications that will be in place for the WorldSkills competition,” says Twa. “Basically, I am practicing installations that replicate the competition in London. Derek critiques my work and gives me tips.”

Skills competitions are not new for Ollen, who competed at the Provincial and National level when he was an electrician apprentice.

“As an instructor, I think skills competitions are a great way to show off what we do as trades professionals,” says Ollen, who volunteers his time as a trainer. “It shows that there is a genuine skill set and that not everyone can do this. It brings what we do to reality.”

For Twa, skills competitions have allowed him to meet new people, travel and expand his professional knowledge.

Twa isn’t the only SAIT representation at WorldSkills 2011. He will travel with two other SAIT students to the competition:

• Luke Moore — competing in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling
• Nigel Renschler — competing in autobody skills

More than 150,000 visitors are expected at the championships, the largest international competition of its kind.

For more information on WorldSkills London.

Results update: Congratulations to SAIT competitors Timothy Twa and Nigel Renschler for capturing Medallions of Excellence in their categories. Canada’s team claimed four bronze medals over the course of four days of competition.

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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