BILD Lethbridge Region hosted its third annual Who BILDs it Best high school building competition at the Southern Alberta Home, Garden and Leisure Show at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre.
The two-day event’s partners also included CAREERS The Next Generation and the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute. High school students with various carpentry skills built a project live at the show.
This year, 20 competitors from nine schools across southern Alberta showcased their abilities. Most are enrolled in the dual credit program with SACI.
Five teams of two each day were challenged to construct an outdoor planter within 75 minutes, using only the provided materials and hand tools.
“This competition gives young people a platform to demonstrate their abilities and take meaningful steps toward a future in the trades,” says Kristy Vassell, CAREERS regional manager.
“This competition is a fantastic way for students to build their skills and gain valuable hands-on learning that helps shape their career paths. I love seeing them embrace the experience and discover their potential,” adds Cheryl Zumbach, SACI program coordinator.
BILD Executive Director Bridget Mearns says one of the most inspiring parts of the show is watching students actively engage with the trades through immersive, skill-building activities. “Giving young people the opportunity to explore these careers helps set them on the path to success.”
Three judges from the industry marked the students on whether or not the project was completed, how well the students worked as a team and the quality of the work, Mearns explains.
“As an industry, it’s important we have young people going into the trades. We see less and less young people choosing trades as a career path. When they do, we as an industry want to make sure we’re making it exciting for them and they understand there are people encouraging and supporting them along their journey. This is just a fun way to get them more excited about what it is they’re choosing to do,” says Mearns.
