The Skills Canada British Columbia competition happens this week in Abbotsford. (Image Credit: Enbridge.)
Provincial skills exhibition

Hundreds of B.C. students to participate in Olympic-style Skills Competition in Abbotsford this week

Apr 14, 2026 | 9:46 AM

ABBOTSFORD – With over 160,000 job openings projected in the skilled trades over the next 10 years in British Columbia, events like this week’s Skills Canada B.C. provincial competition in Abbotsford couldn’t have come at a better time.

About 500 secondary and post-secondary students from across the province will compete at Wednesday’s Skills Canada event, an Olympic-style trade and technology skills competition, in Abbotsford.

Each one of these students earned their spots by winning in regional competitions in various skilled trades and technology disciplines, such as welding, hairstyling, carpentry, photography, animation, robotics, photography, and plumbing.

Skills Competition.
Skills Competition. (Image Credit: Enbridge.)

Winners at this provincial competition may advance to the national competition in Toronto on May 28-29, with the potential to qualify for the world skills competitions.

According to a statement from Enbridge, the latest labour outlook for British Columbia projects over 160,000 job openings in the skilled trades over the next decade.

“Events like Skills Canada British Columbia play a key role in connecting young people to meaningful, in-demand careers that keep our communities running,” said Michaela Bjorseth, Northwest Region Operations Director for Enbridge.

This year, three British Columbia students will represent Canada at the 48th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China on September 22-27. Eric Wu, Veljko Stevanovic and Dhefen Goh were selected to join the 30-member Team Canada after winning at last year’s Skills Canada national competition in Regina. 

Wu, who hails from Maple Ridge, who aims to get his Red Seal endorsement as an industrial electrician, will compete in designing and programming automated systems that run industrial machinery.

Competitor Eric Wu.
Competitor Eric Wu. (Image Credit: Enbridge.)

Driven by a passion for computers, Stevanovic will compete in IT and is planning to pursue a career in this field.

Competitor Veljko Stevanovic.
Competitor Veljko Stevanovic. (Image Credit: Enbridge.)

Goh will compete in fashion technology and dreams of starting her own sustainable fashion line one day.

Competitor Dhefen Goh.
Competitor Dhefen Goh. (Image Credit: Enbridge.)

The trio will be at the provincials in Abbotsford to participate in the programs, judge some competitions and provide mentorship to this year’s competitors.

Representatives from Enbridge, an energy transportation company which operates a natural transmission gas pipeline system across the province, will be onsite at the provincials to highlight career opportunities in the pipeline industry.

Enbridge has also contributed $50,000 to support the event through its community giving program, focusing on empowering young people through education and skills development.

“These events are a celebration of student excellence in skilled trades and technology. By collaborating with our industry and education partners, we ensure that the competition tasks are not only challenging but also relevant to the current demands of employers,” said Dennis Innes, President of Skills Canada British Columbia.