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After two gruelling six-hour days in a small welding bay, completing two different steel structures, we knew Antoine Gonzalez’s projects would hold up to the judges’ industry standards at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) held in Toronto May 27-30.
The energy was high, waiting for the results to be announced at the closing ceremonies. Competing side by side with the top welding student from each of Canada’s provinces and territories, it was clear that Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) student Gonzalez, who is also an apprentice at Island Marine Construction, was in the game. He kept up the pace, completing each project on time, even with a recent collarbone surgery that reduced the strength of his left arm.
When asked, “How did you do?” Gonzalez gives you a humble smile and says, “I did okay. It was pretty fun.” The young man’s calm demeanor and positive outlook is what has helped him to excel at welding training in the GISS youth apprenticeship program under Island Marine Construction, and earn fifth place at the SCNC.
Gonzalez finished top of his class in the Welding Foundation Program at Camosun College as a dual credit Grade 12 student, which led to competing at the Regional Skills Canada competition in early March. Encouraged by GISS apprenticeship program teacher Shari Hambrook and the instructors at Camosun, Gonzalez put in extra hours of training for the regionals, which locked in the first-place win. Working full time welding at Island Marine Construction kept him busy before the provincial championships on April 14-15. Gonzalez didn’t think he would be in the top three, so left the Tradex in Abbotsford before the closing ceremonies to catch the ferry back to Salt Spring and work the next day. It was over the live YouTube feed that he heard his name announced as the provincial gold medalist for secondary school welding.
Accepting a seat on the Skills BC team was a big commitment, and Gonzalez was ready. But his practice time was cut short when he broke his collarbone and had surgery three weeks before the competition. Gonzalez’s determination and the support of everyone around him propelled him along, but he missed weeks of hands-on training.
When asked what helped him prepare, Gonzalez said, “Working in the shop and going to the [Camosun dual credit] welding program prepared me really well. I couldn’t have done it without a good team behind me in the shop during the competition.”
Thanks to many generous donations from local trades businesses, the Salt Spring Legion and community members, Gonzalez reached the goal of $15,000 to pay for himself and his delegation, including his mom Jodi French, GISS apprenticeship program teacher Shari Hambrook, and his secret weapon, Kevin Huebert, lead welder and apprenticeship sponsor from Island Marine Construction. Huebert has trained at least 10 youth welders through the GISS trades program and his positive presence, coaching and advice during the gruelling competition days kept us all calm and Gonzalez focused.
Huebert was impressed by the size of the event.
“The competition was eye-opening for me,” he said. “Being in Toronto at such a big event was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I soaked it up, visited all the trades booths, watched the other competitors and supported Antoine. I know it is for a bigger cause.”
Skills Canada Nationals brings together Canada’s top 500 youth workers in over 40 trades and technology occupations. To reach nationals, youth compete at regionals and provincials in either secondary or post-secondary divisions. Team BC, in their coveted provincial jerseys, sent 60 competitors and their delegates and brought home 25 medals (nine gold, nine silver and seven bronze). Spread out over the floor of the Enercare Centre were competitions representing six sectors: construction, employment, information technology, manufacturing and engineering, services and transportation. Thousands of people from school groups, industry and the public watched the competitions and were inspired by trades.
French posted after the event: “There was very steep competition and while he didn’t make it to this podium, he did an excellent job on his two competition projects, but more importantly, he competed (two weeks post-surgery) with integrity, grit and grace under literal fire. Two-time gold and a top youth welder in our country will do for now.”
In the end, it was an 85-pound juggle, but the two welding projects were shipped home via courier and will be shown off at GISS and Island Marine Construction.
“After witnessing the trades competitions, it is clear to me that trades students from GISS are already performing at a national level,” said Hambrook. “Our programs, supported by the elite-level local tradespeople in the Gulf Islands, produce highly skilled apprentices. Like Antoine, apprentices are often too focused on their responsibilities at work to take time for these competitions! I am so grateful that Antoine took the chance and I look forward to showing off his projects and encouraging GISS students to compete next year.”
SCNC 2027 will be held in Calgary, Alta. at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Regional competitions in all trade areas will be on Feb. 5, 2027 at Camosun College. The competition is open to apprentices and youth in trades training who are under the age of 23.
The complete list of results is available on the skillscompetencescanada.com website. For more information, contact Hambrook at shambrook@sd64.org.
