Mr. Speaker, more than two dozen Waterloo region high school and college students will be heading to Quebec City to participate in the Skills Canada national competition this weekend.
Recent studies suggest that in the new millennium 40% of new jobs will be in the skilled trades area.
Skills Canada strives to increase awareness about careers and skilled trades and technology, and underscores the important role for youth in filling the skilled labour needs of Canadian industry.
Skills Canada is a not for profit organization which receives federal support through the youth employment strategy. Student participants tell me that this competition raises self-confidence and opens doors for many of them. It is also an extremely valuable competition for many Canadian employers.
I would like to wish all students from Kitchener-Waterloo the best of luck this weekend. Bring home the gold.