TORONTO, ON – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC) has announced the final results of the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), held at the Enercare Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Team Nova Scotia delivered another outstanding performance on the national stage, earning a total of 13 medals: five gold, four silver, and four bronze.
SCNC is Canada’s only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices. Each year, the country’s top skilled trades and technology competitors gather to showcase their talents, test their skills, and compete for national championship titles in their respective disciplines.
Representing the province was Team Nova Scotia, comprised of 38 of Nova Scotia’s most talented secondary students, post-secondary students, and apprentices. Competitors from across the province travelled to Toronto to demonstrate their abilities alongside the best young skilled trades and technology professionals from every region in Canada.
“Skilled trades and technologies are critical to the strength and growth of our communities, our economy, and our future,” says Robin Lorway, Executive Director of Skills Canada Nova Scotia. “The Skills Canada National Competition provides a unique opportunity for Nova Scotians to showcase their talents among the best in the country while gaining valuable experience, building confidence, and having their skills recognized on the national stage.”
Gold Medalists
- Automobile Technology – Jake Foster, N.A.B. Automotive
- CNC Machining – Richard Lewis, Quality Machining Services Ltd.
- Cooking (Post-Secondary) – Abigail Coleman, NSCC Akerley Campus
- Job Search – Mei Jennings, Shelburne Regional High School
- Public Speaking – Samantha MacDonald, Glace Bay High School
Silver Medalists
- Carpentry (Post-Secondary) – Cordell Robicheau, Lindsay Construction
- Plumbing – Joshua Nowen, UA Local 56
- Precision Machining – Zachary Verboom, NSCC Akerley Campus
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter – Andrew Pozzebon, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Bronze Medalists
- Baking (Secondary) – Yui Jennings, Shelburne Regional High School
- Hairstyling – Luca Decoff, CBBC Career College
- Job Skill Demonstration – Kalee Rector, Musquodoboit Rural High School
- Sprinkler Fitter – Adam Arseneau, UA Local 56 / Viking Fire Protection
In addition to earning a gold medal in Public Speaking, Samantha MacDonald was also awarded the prestigious RBC Best in Region Award, recognizing the highest weighted score achieved by a Nova Scotia competitor at the national competition.
The medal presentations took place during the SCNC Closing Ceremony following two days of competition at Toronto’s Enercare Centre.
Skills Canada – Nova Scotia extends its congratulations to every member of Team Nova Scotia. Whether they earned a medal or not, each competitor demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and skill while proudly representing their schools, employers, training institutions, and communities on the national stage.
“Competitions like SCNC are about much more than medals,” says Lorway. “They provide young Nova Scotians with the opportunity to test their skills against the best in the country, build confidence through experience, and see firsthand what they are capable of achieving. Their success not only reflects the depth of talent in our province but also inspires future generations to pursue meaningful and rewarding careers in skilled trades and technologies.”
Skills Canada – Nova Scotia would also like to thank its partners, sponsors, volunteers, coaches, delegates, and members of the National Technical Committees. Their continued support plays a vital role in helping Team Nova Scotia prepare for and compete at the Skills Canada National Competition each year.
The success of Team Nova Scotia at SCNC 2026 is a testament to the strength of skilled trades and technology education across the province and highlights the bright future of Nova Scotia’s next generation of skilled professionals.
For more images from the competition please visit the Skills Canada – Nova Scotia Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skillsns/