Skills Canada PEI is a provincial branch of Skills Canada. Skills Canada PEI is a registered charity created in partnership with government, industry, educational and labour institutions. It is part of a larger national organization whose mandate is to encourage youth to consider skills and technology-based career options, which help fuel economic growth for the province and the country, while creating interesting and challenging employment opportunities for young Canadians.

Skills Canada PEI also exists to help employers recruit the highly skilled professionals they need to fill a growing number of technical positions. We work with industry and educational institutions to identify programs that will prepare youth with the work-ready skills and training employer's need. Skills Canada encourages excellence in these fields.

Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. The national office is supported by provincial branch offices that work closely with local representatives to ensure the long-term viability of a skilled labour force.

The Canadian Skills Competition is the organization's flagship event and continues grow and gain support each year, an indication that the skilled trades and technology industries in Canada continue to provide viable, long-term career opportunities for youth.

Our flag ship, annual activity is an Olympic-style competition which tests the skills of young people at secondary and post-secondary levels for trade and technology occupations. The first round of competition happens at the provincial level, gold medalists from each province or territory then go on to compete in the Canadian Skills Competition. We are proud to say that last year the national event was held in Charlottetown, PEI and was a huge success. This year it will be held in Waterloo Ont. (www.skillsontario.com) The gold medalists from the national competition then progress to the World competition. The next Worlds competition will be held in London England. www.worldskillslondon2011.com)

National events such as the Canadian Skills Competition are a great way to showcase the skills and talents of Islanders," said PEI Premier Pat Binns. "Promoting participation in skilled trades and technologies is very important for the future economic growth of Prince Edward Island."