Pictured here: Rob Wall (left) and James Halushka (right) of North Battleford Comprehensive High School, have been recognized for their work with Skills Canada. (submitted photos/NBCHS)

By Martin Martinson

Helping Community

NBCHS teachers recognized for volunteer contributions

Apr 28, 2020 | 5:20 PM

School may be out of session for the time being, but that hasn’t stopped two local teachers from standing out for a job well done.

Rob Wall and James Halushka of North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) were recently recognized for their work and contributions while serving as members of the Skills Canada National Technical Committee.

“The work of volunteers is essential to Skills Canada’s development in achieving its mission of actively promoting careers in the skilled trades and technologies to youth in Canada,” the organization said in a statement.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Skills Canada was not able to host its National Competition in Vancouver this year. Despite the cancelation of festivities however, the organization still felt it was important to acknowledge the “hard work and dedication of the individuals who play a critical role in the project development process for these competitions.”

Wall has been teaching at NBCHS since 1997, and his involvement with Skills Canada began in 2012. He said he feels fortunate to be a part of the program.

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“It is quite an honour to be recognized and I feel like it’s really been a privilege to be involved with the organization,” Wall said. “Taking a look at the competitors that are at the competition – especially at the national level – the dedication they have and how good they are at their trades is just overwhelmingly impressive. I am thankful that I can be part of an organization that recognizes that in young people.”

Halushka added that as someone who won a medal at Skills Canada during his time in trade school, himself, he knows what it can mean to the youth involved with the Skills Canada program.

“It’s a huge value to the kids,” Halushka said. “Once they go to a provincial competition and then they head off to nationals, that national event is like the Olympics for trades. We parade those kids in by province and the smiles on their faces when they’re carrying those flags and wearing their provincial T-shirts, it’s something to be seen. [Then] when they win, that’s the best part; it makes it all worth it.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1