Explore every episode of the podcast Skillz & Thrillz: Alberta's Trade & Tech Youth

In this episode, we sit down with Kade Hamre and Marek Fournier from Brooks Composite High School, the robotics duo who powered their way to gold at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition—earning a spot on Team Alberta—and went on to claim silver at the 2025 Nationals in Regina.

Kade and Marek share what it was like to prepare for competition, the challenges of designing and building a successful robot, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From long hours of testing to the thrill of competing against the best in Canada, their journey is full of innovation, teamwork, and determination.

Tune in to hear how these two young innovators engineered their way to success!

In this episode, we sit down with Diego De Dominicis Barrios, gold medalist in Electronics Secondary at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. His win earned him a spot on Team Alberta for the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan—where he also took home the Team Spirit Award alongside his Ernest Manning classmate, Amal Hussainy.

Diego shares his inspiring Skills journey, what it was like to train and compete at such a high level, and the incredible support he received from teachers, mentors, and fellow competitors in the Electronics community. He also offers thoughtful advice for future competitors and reflects on his unforgettable time in Regina.

Tune in to hear Diego’s story of teamwork, dedication, and what it takes to succeed in Skills competitions!

In this episode, we chat with Mikayla Hannesschlager, gold medalist in Bricklaying at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition and proud member of Team Alberta at the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina. Mikayla shares her journey into the skilled trades, growing up in a family of bricklayers and finding her own path in refractory work—carving a unique space in a field where her family specializes in red brick.

She opens up about the training and mentorship that shaped her success, the importance of having women role models in the trades, and how confidence plays a key role in both competition and career. Mikayla also offers practical advice for anyone looking to explore bricklaying or step into the competition world.

Plus, she gives us a look ahead at her next big challenge: representing Canada at a union bricklaying competition this fall in Detroit!

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Turner, gold medalist at the 2018 Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Photography and bronze medalist at Nationals—as she shares her inspiring journey through the world of Skills competitions and beyond. Rachel opens up about the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned, including how overcoming self-doubt played a major role in her success.

She reflects on the invaluable mentorship she received from Lance Burns and how his guidance helped shape her path. Instead of taking the corporate route, Rachel chose to follow her creative passion and built her own photography business. From the competition floor to capturing life behind the lens, Rachel’s story is a testament to perseverance, mentorship, and the power of believing in your craft.

Tune in to hear how Rachel turned her Skills experience into a thriving career and how you can do the same.

Want to check out her incredible portfolio? Here's the link to her website: Edmonton Wedding Photographer | Rachel Turner

Want to learn more about her Skills experience? Here's the link to her blogpost: Skills Canada Competition - Rachel Turner Photography

 In this episode, we sit down with Zack Hartle, a Skills Canada Alberta alumnus, two-time gold medalist in Industrial Control, Electrical Trades Instructor at SAIT, and co-host of the Watts the Word podcast. Zack shares his inspiring journey from competing in Skills competitions to representing Canada at WorldSkills Germany, and how those experiences shaped his career path. Now a Provincial Technical Committee member and passionate educator, Zack discusses launching a podcast with Jason Cox to spotlight the electrical industry, creating a YouTube channel to support learners, and what it means to give back to the trades community. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a look at how one competitor became a leader, mentor, and advocate for skilled trades. 

Podcast: https://www.wattsthewordpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZackHartle

In this episode, we sit down with Veronica Kjolberg, a proud Skills Canada Alberta alumna whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Veronica competed in 2022 and 2023, capturing gold at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg. In 2024, she took her passion even further by representing Team Alberta at the Skills for Success Youth Assembly in Quebec. Veronica walks us through the highs, the lessons, and the unforgettable moments of her Skills experience. She also shares her best advice on how to stand out in interviews, craft winning resumes and cover letters, and take charge of your career journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking for that extra boost of motivation, Veronica’s story and practical tips will leave you feeling empowered and ready to chase your own version of success. 

In this episode, we’re taking a look back at some of the incredible advice shared by Skills Canada Alberta alumni featured in past episodes. Whether you're gearing up for the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition or preparing for future competitions, these tips are here to help you feel confident, calm your nerves, and set you up for success on your skills journey. Remember, you’ve got this! Good luck from all of us at Skills Canada Alberta! 

In our first-ever joint episode, we’re joined by Laine Van Hardeveld and Taylor Desjardins, two standout Skills alumni whose paths crossed in the most inspiring way. Laine, a Mechatronics and Millwrights competitor and Skills Canada Alberta’s 2024 Alumni of the Year, and Taylor, a Cabinet Making competitor who went on to represent Canada at WorldSkills Russia, share how their friendship began and blossomed through the Skills competitions.

From competing at the 2018 Provincial Skills Canada Competition to cheering each other on at Nationals, Laine and Taylor walk us through their individual journeys, the highs and lows of competition, and how they built a lasting bond rooted in shared experiences, great conversations, and a mutual love for trades and skilled work.

Tune in to hear how two different trades brought together two incredible people—and how the Skills community continues to create unexpected and meaningful connections.

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Kellow, a Teaching Assistant at the Aesthetics Institute, whose Skills story began in 2018 with a creative special effects makeup demonstration in the Job Skill Demonstration competition. After refining her approach and simplifying her presentation the following year, Brittany struck gold—earning her a spot on Team Alberta and a trip to the 2019 Skills Canada National Competition in Halifax.

Brittany shares her path from crafting and presenting realistic cuts on the Job Skill Demonstration stage to pursuing a career in Aesthetics, and why she continues to give back as a member of the Provincial Technical Committee for Aesthetics. It's truly an inspiring story of growth, refining one's craft, and giving back. If you want to learn about her journey and experience in Job Skill Demo and Aesthetics, tune in now!

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Wong, whose Skills journey began in high school and continued into post-secondary. In 2016, he competed at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition, placing 1st and earning a spot on Team Alberta. He went on to represent Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition in New Brunswick. 

Tim’s dedication to Skills didn’t stop there. In 2023, he was named Alumni of the Year for his contributions to the Skills community and through his role on the Provincial Technical Committee (PTC) for Precision and CNC Machining, where he helps shape the competition at Provincials each year. He’s also an instructor at SAIT, where he not only trains apprentices but also finds inspiration in learning from his students.

Join us as Tim reflects on how one-on-one training at SAIT prepared him for competition, how Skills shaped his path, and why mentoring future machinists has been so rewarding. Listen now, and don’t forget to check out his Alumni of the Year video on our website or YouTube to learn more about his incredible journey! 

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Herndon, a Skills Canada Alberta alum whose passion for fashion has taken her from competition runways to film and television sets! Amy competed in Fashion Technology in 2012/2013, winning gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition and silver at Nationals in Vancouver. Since then, her career has evolved in incredible ways—starting with high-fashion runway designs and leading to a thriving career in costume specialty builds for film and television. Most notably, Amy worked on Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, creating intricate Fire Nation armour and other detailed costume pieces. Her ability to merge craftsmanship with creativity has made her a sought-after costume builder in the industry. Beyond film, Amy has also founded her own clothing business, Ization Studios, where she continues to design and create innovative fashion pieces.

Join us as Amy shares her journey from Skills competitions to the world of film and fashion, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her advice for aspiring designers and creatives.

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Cherkowski, a passionate and talented competitor in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Tyler’s journey through Skills competitions has been nothing short of incredible—he won gold at the 2023 Provincial Skills Canada Competition, competed at Nationals, and represented Canada on the world stage at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.

Tyler shares how he discovered his passion for refrigeration, fascinated by the science behind cooling systems and determined to master the trade. He reflects on his once-in-a-lifetime experience competing in Lyon and the lessons he brought home from the world stage. Now, as a mentor, Tyler is shaping the next generation of skilled trades professionals, with two of his apprentices set to compete at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance, and the power of mentorship in the skilled trades.

In this episode, we sit down with Sierrah Bennett, a gold medalist in video production at both the provincial and national Skills Canada competitions. Growing up in Lloydminster, Sierrah never let the size of her hometown define the scope of her dreams. She shares how she pushed past doubts, proved her talent on the Skills stage, and embraced the mindset that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

We dive into her transition from video production to photography, her creative growth, and how she’s now making her mark through Sierrah Bennett Media. Sierrah also talks about her role in inspiring the next generation by advocating for women in trades and technology through the Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) program, where she speaks on her experience and gives advice to young women at the GETT Conference. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on perseverance, creativity, and forging your own path in the world of media.

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Lubna Ismail, a Public Speaking alumna who captivated audiences with her eloquence and energy. After earning silver at provincials, Lubna went on to achieve national success, winning gold at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec. Lubna shares her journey from competing on the provincial stage to excelling at the national level, offering valuable insights and advice for aspiring speakers. As she says, "It’s not about what you’re saying; it’s how you’re engaging with the audience." She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her role in winning the Team Spirit Award alongside fellow alum Euan MacKinnon, helping bring energy and camaraderie to Team Alberta. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills, boost your confidence, or be inspired by Lubna’s story, this episode is for you. Tune in now and discover how to elevate your public speaking game.

In today’s episode, we chat with Euan MacKinnon, a determined pipefitter whose journey through the Skills Canada competitions is nothing short of inspiring. After placing fourth at the 2023 National Skills Canada Competition in Winnipeg, Euan set his sights on gold—and achieved it at the 2024 Nationals in Quebec! Euan takes us through his experience learning his trade, the dedication it took to train for these competitions, and the invaluable lessons he’s gained along the way. He shares the impact of his mentors, whose guidance fueled his eagerness to master every aspect of his craft. Now, as a gold medalist, Euan looks to the future, hoping to pass on his knowledge and train the next generation of competitors in his trade. Don’t miss this story of perseverance, passion, and the power of mentorship!

In this episode, we’re joined by the exceptionally talented Paisley Gatfield, an alumna who has mastered both the culinary and baking worlds. Paisley’s impressive competition history includes gold medals in both Culinary and Baking, as well as national accolades with a silver in Culinary and bronze in Baking. She shares her inspiring journey, revealing how these competitions ignited her passion and shaped her career. From lessons learned under the guidance of skilled chefs to her artistic approach to creating delicious meals, Paisley opens up about her evolution as a culinary artist. Tune in to hear her heartfelt reflections, the behind-the-scenes challenges of competing, and how she’s transformed her love for food into a meaningful and impactful art form.

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Rainforth, a true champion in the world of welding and a WorldSkills Bronze Medalist. Ben shares his incredible journey, starting as a young attendee at WorldSkills Calgary, to winning bronze in Welding at WorldSkills Lyon in France.

Discover how Ben transitioned from carpentry to welding, the rigorous training process, and the unforgettable experience of competing on the world stage. His dedication, perseverance, and passion for his craft shine through as he recounts the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of skill, determination, and community. Get ready to be motivated by Ben's remarkable story!

In this episode, we’re joined by Jacob Waldbillig, an Architectural Technology and Design powerhouse, who went from silver to gold at the Skills competitions and earned the incredible chance to compete nationally in Halifax. Now the chair of the Provincial Technical Committee and a proud member of the National Alumni Committee, Jacob is an ambassador for Skills Canada, guiding and inspiring new competitors. Tune in as we explore the exciting world of architectural design—what it takes to create the buildings we live, work, and play in every day. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

In our first episode, we sit down with Chelsea Dyck, a former Skills Canada Alberta competitor in Industrial Control, now a Master Electrician, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in trades. Chelsea shares her inspiring journey from the Skills stage to founding her own company, where she teaches women home repair and renovation basics. As a member of the Provincial Technical Committee for Industrial Control and a speaker at the GETT (Girls Exploring Trades & Technologies) Gathering, Chelsea is breaking barriers and empowering the next generation of women in trades. 

Learn more about Chelsea's company at heraelectric.ca!