EMSB Mechanics Students Win Regional Skills Olympiads

Two host English Montreal School Board (EMSB) automobile mechanics students placed first and third at the Montreal Regional Skills Olympiads, held at the vocational training facility specializing in automobile mechanics, and welding and fitting, in St,. Léonard on Thursday, February 15. Kevin Quieti won first place, and Jamil Fneiche, took third, qualifying to compete in the 15th annual Quebec Provincial Skills Olympiads in Montreal on May 3 and 4. Their ultimate goal is to compete in the World Skills Competition.

Winners in the welding compétition are: first place: Pierre Olivier Laflamme, Commission Scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Île; second place: Mathieu Letizia-Mineau, Commission Scolaire de la Pointe-de-L’Île; third place: Chloé St Jean Richard, Commission Scolaire de Montréal. Second place in auto mechanics was awarded to Naja Moseley, Lester B. Pearson School Board.

The Skills Olympiad is geared to students under the age of 21. Eight students from four school boards (EMSB, Lester B. Pearson School Board, Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Commission scolaire de Montréal competed in the automobile mechanics competition. Eight students from four school boards (EMSB, CSDM, CSMB, Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île) competed in welding. All competitors had already won top ranking at their respective school board competitions. 

The welding event was generously supported by internationally recognized corporate sponsors. Lincoln Electric, Walter Technologies and Air Liquide provided more than $6,000 in gifts to the competitors, with the first place winner receiving a new welding machine from Lincoln Electric.

Corporate sponsors in the automobile mechanics competition were also very generous. DES Canada, Snap-On, G2S Tools and Uniformes Moderna provided mechanics tool bags with a variety of tools and electronic scanners to each candidate.

“The participation and support given by these business partners underlines their commitment to vocational education and specifically their partnership with the EMSB Welding and Automobile Mechanics Centre,” said Sulaman Khan, Vice-Principal of the Centre. “Our students have the opportunity to learn their trade on state-of-the art equipment, preparing them for the modern workforce.”