Several Abbotsford students will be among the hundreds competing this Wednesday, April 15 at the 21st annual Provincial Skills Competition at Tradex.
The event features more than 400 participants competing in 35 contest areas, such as carpentry, culinary arts, fashion technology, welding, hairdressing, electronics and computer animation.
The secondary and post-secondary competitors all qualified for the provincials after winning gold medals at regional events.
The Abbotsford students won their gold medals at the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Skills Competition held March 5 at University of the Fraser Valley's trades and technology centre in Chilliwack.
Those who win gold at the provincial event advance to the national contest, taking place May 27 to 30 in Saskatoon, Sask.
Abbotsford students competing in the provincials are:
* Grace Choi and Ryan White of Robert Bateman Secondary in 2D animation;
* Noah Dueck and Kurtis Mar of Robert Bateman in 3D animation;
* Alex Hintz of Abbotsford Senior in architectural CAD;
* Chris Letkeman of W.J. Mouat in automotive service;
* Mikayla Wiebe of Yale Secondary in culinary arts;
* Nick Huebert of W.J. Mouat in electrical wiring; and
* Brad Lewis of Robert Bateman in welding.
The Provincial Skills Competition also features younger students competing in "junior" events, including the Gravity Vehicle Race, Sumo Robot and Spaghetti Bridge.
Watch abbynews.com on Wednesday for coverage of the provincial competition.