RDP Apprentice earns gold at Skills Canada National Competition

May 31, 2023
Ben Rainforth and Jared Quast

Photo (l-r): Ben Rainforth and Jared Quast

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Welding Apprentice Ben Rainforth showcased exceptional talent in his trade, earning a gold medal at the Skills Canada National Competition May 25-26. Rainforth’s accomplishment was the fifth consecutive gold medal by RDP Welding Apprentices at the national level.     

Rainforth was among more than 500 Canadian students and apprentices who competed in 45 Skill Areas at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. 

“I want to congratulate Ben and his RDP Welding Instructor and Skills Coach Lee Yasinski on the outstanding performance at the Skills Canada National Competition,” says Joel Gingrich, Dean of School of Education and Trades. “Along with earning gold, Ben also won a Best of Region Award for achieving the best-weighted score from Alberta.” 

In addition, RDP Apprentice Jared Quast had a high-calibre performance in Sprinkler Systems Installations, placing fifth at the Skills Canada National Competition.

“Jared was a great representative of Red Deer Polytechnic and Team Alberta in Winnipeg,” says Gingrich. “I am proud of Jared’s hard work, and to be recognized among the top five apprentices in his field across Canada is quite the honour.”

Red Deer Polytechnic continues to excel at both the Skills Canada Alberta and Skills Canada National Competitions, solidifying its position as a national-calibre post-secondary institution for skilled trades programming. With Rainforth’s achievement, RDP Apprentices have earned 79 medals provincially and nationally since 2003. 

“It takes an entire team to ensure that our apprentices succeed,” says Gingrich. “I want to thank and congratulate all RDP Trades employees and our industry partners for contributing to these accomplishments and preparing our learners for rewarding careers.”

Through dedication and a variety of collaborations, Rainforth has evolved his post-secondary skills and knowledge to be the best in the nation, adding to the ongoing legacy of RDP Apprentices. 

“With the help of past competitors, Justin Meldrum and Dayton Playford, as well as the incredible instructors at RDP, I have grown and developed my skills to a level that few possess,” says Rainforth, who also earned gold at the Secondary Skills Canada National Competition in 2019 when he was enrolled in the School Within A College program at RDP. 

Rainforth, and all gold medalists from the Skills Canada National Competition, will represent their institution and Team Canada alongside the top apprentices in the world next year. 

“To compete in the 2024 WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France is an extreme honour that has not come easy,” says Rainforth. “RDP has paved the way for my success, giving me the tools and resources that I need to excel in my trade. Having taken all three years of my technical training at RDP, I have been fortunate to have been instructed by the best of the best. With coaching and instruction from Lee, we have put in the time to become the national champion and can continue training at a world level.” 

The 47th WorldSkills Competition will be held September 10-15, 2024. 

“I am very honoured to have this opportunity and am excited to represent not only RDP, but Alberta and most importantly, Canada,” adds Rainforth. 

The full results from the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition are available online. 

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