Three Durham College (DC) students are celebrating after successfully finishing on the podium at the Skills Canada Virtual National Competition (SCVNC).

Held on June 15, Mark Steele won gold for IT Network Systems Administration, while Cameron Billingham and Glesy Panaga, claimed bronze for Photography and Baking.

Designed to engage Canadian youth by promoting careers in skilled trades and technologies, the SCVNC is the largest trade and technology competition event of its kind in the country for apprentices and young students.

Steele, Billingham and Panaga earned their place at the event after winning gold in their respective categories at the Skills Ontario competition in May.

“Once again these three students rose to the occasion,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic, Durham College. “They’ve continued to demonstrate their talent, this time on a national stage, taking the technical, hands-on skills they have been honing during their studies at Durham College and applying them with innovation, creativity and passion to their respective competition challenges. We are extremely proud of their success.”

Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization which partners with Skills Canada organizations in each of the provinces and territories, and works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth.