Durham College apprentice proves he's a cut above in winning gold medal at national skills competition

June 25, 2008

Second gold medal win for Machinist student Mike Van Leeuwen

OSHAWA, Ont. – Mike Van Leeuwen, a third-year general Machinist apprentice, proved once again that Durham College students are the best when measured against their peers, winning a gold medal at the National Skills Competition on May 26 to 28, his second significant victory in a month.

After taking the provincial title only a few weeks earlier, the Bradford, Ontario resident won the national gold medal for his superior machining skills, which he showcased while assembling a balloon pump. He joined over 500 secondary and post-secondary school students from across Canada competing in more than 40 trade and technology events at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. Competition categories included transportation, construction, information, manufacturing, service and employment.

“Participating in both competitions was an amazing experience,” said Van Leeuwen. “I have learned from a group of excellent teachers who have shared their professional experience with me and my classmates. Through my experiences I have realized that the education I have received at Durham College has prepared me for a future career as a machinist.”

Selected gold medal winners at the national-level may have positions on Team Canada to represent the nation at the World Skills Calgary 2009 competition. At this time, precision machining has not been included in the competition categories.

Van Leeuwen won gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition on May 5 at Conestoga College’s Guelph campus. Two other Durham College students also won medals there, with Britney Kayne taking bronze for hairstyling, and Grant Henderson winning the bronze for electrical. Durham College was the top medal winner at the provincial level.

“We are immensely proud of the students who competed in all levels of this competition,” said Marj Rempel, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. “This is another shining example of how Durham College is providing students with the skills and hands-on experience necessary to be employed upon graduation. All three of these award-winning students have proven they have a bright and rewarding future ahead, one that will support our provincial government’s desire to continue developing a skilled trades workforce that meets Ontario’s future needs.”

This is the first national gold for Durham College since students began participating in the Skills Canada Competition three years ago.

About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market- driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:

Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@durhamcollege.ca

 

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