June 17, 2008 - Josh Ryan, a third-year student in Cambrian College’s Computer Systems Technology program, came away with the silver medal at the 14th annual Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, which was held May 24 – 28, 2008.

The Canadian Skills Competition provides participants with the opportunity to showcase their trade and technology skills at the National level and to compete against the best in the nation.

“Josh was tested on network design, cabling, infrastructure configuration, wireless configuration, and Windows Server 2003 and Linux installation and configuration,” said Bob Vachon, coordinator of the Computer Systems Technology program at Cambrian College. “Cambrian can be very proud of graduating students like Josh who proved that he is among the best in the country in his chosen discipline.”

Every year, the Canadian Skills Competition attracts over 500 young people from all regions of Canada to compete in over 40 trade and technology areas. The Olympic-style, multi-trade, and technology competition provides an opportunity for young students and apprentices studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting standards and against their peers from across Canada.

Ryan qualified for the national event after winning the provincial gold medal at the 19th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition on May 6, 2008, in Waterloo, Ontario.

“We started entering these competitions three years ago to see how our program compared to others in the province.” said Vachon. “I am proud to say Cambrian has medaled every year because of the hard work and the talent of students like Josh Ryan. Since 2005, we have won a total of six provincial and two national medals, which reflects the high quality of our program and the abilities of our students.”

For more information, read the News Feature.

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