Durham College (DC) students owned the podium at Skills Ontario, Canada’s largest skilled trades’ competition. Our students outshined the competition, earning them gold and silver medals in multiple categories.

Adam Leadbetter, a level-three apprentice in DC’s Industrial Mechanic – Millwright program, won gold in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category.

“The competition was intense,” said Leadbetter. “You put in your ear plugs, drown the world out and use all your concentration. I’m pretty ecstatic to be going to nationals and look forward to putting my skills to the test.”

Leadbetter’s win means he will be representing DC and Ontario against the best and brightest millwrights in Canada, when he participates in the Skills Canada national competition held in Saskatoon, Sask., from Wednesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 30. 

DC’s Mike Bachand, a second year Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control student took home the silver in the same category as Leadbetter; Bryan Chamberlain, a Computer Systems Technology student, won silver in the IT Network Systems Administration category; and Blake Jessup, a level-three welding apprentice in the Welding program, also won silver in the Welding category. 

Overall, 13 DC students competed in various categories including Auto Service Technology, Baking, Culinary Arts, Heating Systems Technology and Plumbing. Congratulations to our students!