Photo by William Crooks
These volunteers lent a hand, guiding students through the intricate art of welding during the challenge
Local high school students test skills in spirited competition
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Nearly 1,500 high school students from the Val-des-Cerfs School Service Center and the Eastern Townships School Board gathered at two venues on Friday, Oct. 25, to participate in the Trade Challenge, an event designed to introduce young people to vocational education through friendly competition. Held at the Integrated Regional Training Center (CRIF) in Granby and the Brome-Missisquoi Campus (CBM) in Cowansville, the event was a first for both locations, providing students with hands-on experience in various trades.
The event was organized by Compétences Québec and backed by the Ministry of Education. Assistant Director Jeremy Frizzle from CBM emphasized in an interview on the scene in Cowansville that the aim was to expose students to a range of trade skills while fostering team spirit. He noted that the event is part of a provincial initiative to encourage students to consider vocational training programs as viable career options.
Students competed in small teams in five different challenges, each testing skills specific to a particular trade. The hairdressing competition, for instance, required students to set eight rollers in the shortest time while ensuring accuracy, with the team that completed it most precisely declared the winner. In welding, students were tasked with joining two metal plates at a precise 90-degree angle, challenging their technical skills and attention to detail. Another challenge in cooking tested students’ knowledge of ingredients, with teams competing to identify various types of produce correctly. Frizzle explained that if there was a tie, a bonus item was added as a tiebreaker, keeping the competition lively.
The setup for the Trade Challenge required substantial logistical support, as both campuses ran simultaneous events, with specific trades assigned to each location. For example, while CRIF hosted challenges involving certain trades, CBM featured others unique to its facilities. According to Frizzle, the event required careful coordination between the two campuses to ensure students had access to as many trades as possible. “We wanted to maximize exposure, so certain trades that weren’t available at one campus were covered at the other,” he said.
In addition to student teams, several adult education students and vocational training instructors volunteered to assist with the event. They acted as guides, helping participants navigate the campus and supporting the organizers in running the competition. Frizzle praised the involvement of these volunteers, noting their eagerness to contribute. “We asked our students to help out, and they were more than willing,” he said, highlighting how the event became a collaborative effort for the entire school community.
While the students were primarily focused on performing well in their respective challenges, the event also included awards for overall team achievement. The school that accumulated the highest number of wins across all events would receive a prize, as would the school that demonstrated the most enthusiasm and team spirit. Winners were not announced immediately, as Frizzle noted, “The results are being compiled, and we’ll be visiting the winning schools soon to present the awards.” Each of the top schools would receive a $500 grant, courtesy of Compétences Québec, to support their programs.
Frizzle expressed optimism about the event’s impact, believing that the students’ experience at the Trade Challenge would inspire many of them to consider vocational training programs in the future. “Ideally, I’m hoping it’s going to be positive, where we’ll get more students learning about CBM and joining our courses,” he said. The ultimate goal, he added, is to encourage students to explore trades as a fulfilling career path. He also hopes the event’s success will lead to more schools participating in future years, growing the program and its influence across the region.
The day began with a welcome from event organizers, where they introduced the participants to the event’s structure and the importance of each task. In his opening speech, Frizzle highlighted the diverse skills that trades require and how hands-on experience can sometimes spark newfound interest in students. “The activities you’re going to do, they may not all make sense right away, but maybe by the end of the day, you’ll find some answers about what interests you,” he remarked, encouraging students to approach each challenge with an open mind.
As students moved from one challenge to the next, their enthusiasm was evident. Many of them, who arrived unsure of what to expect, engaged fully in the hands-on experience, exploring different skills and techniques with curiosity. For some, the experience was an eye-opener, revealing career paths they may not have previously considered.
The Trade Challenge marks an important step in promoting vocational education in the region. With students from across the Eastern Townships participating, organizers hope the event will become an annual highlight, fostering greater interest in trades and preparing young people for diverse career opportunities. Given the high turnout and positive response from students and schools alike, the future looks bright for this hands-on introduction to the trades.