CWB Association Podcast – Skills Canada Series: Season 4
CWB Association Podcast – Skills Canada Series: Season 4
The Road to WorldSkills
The CWB Association continued our collaboration with Skills/Compétences Canada on a special podcast series. In Season 4, we highlighted the training, passion, and dedication, and showcased the road to WorldSkills Team Canada from the competitors, trainers, experts, and everyone involved as they prepare to head to the World Skills Competition in Shanghai, China, on September 22-27, 2026.
L’Association CWB a poursuivi sa collaboration avec Skills/Compétences Canada dans le cadre d'une série spéciale de podcasts. Au cours de la saison 4, nous avons mis en avant la formation, la passion et le dévouement des participants, et nous avons retracé le parcours menant à l’Équipe Canada WorldSkills à travers les témoignages des concurrents, des formateurs, des experts et de toutes les personnes impliquées, alors qu’ils se préparent à participer au Mondial des métiers à Shanghai, en Chine, du 22 au 27 septembre 2026.
Check out all the episodes from Season 4 here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Découvrez tous les épisodes de la saison 4 ici sur YouTube ou sur votre plateforme de podcasts préférée.
Episode 1 with Logan Peters and Paul Bettio
Canada is returning to the WorldSkills stage in Carpentry for the first time since 2015. In this episode, Team Canada competitor Logan Peters and Expert Paul Bettio discuss Logan's journey from high school Skills competitions in Alberta to representing Canada at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Logan shares how competing has helped shape his career goals and prepare him for the world stage, while Paul reflects on his role as a first-time Team Canada Expert and the importance of developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Together, they offer an inside look at the dedication, preparation, and passion behind Canada's return to the international carpentry competition.
Episode 2 with Kylar Bloomberg and Justin Fischer
From apprentice to Team Canada, Kylar Bloomberg is preparing to represent Canada in Plumbing & Heating at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. In this episode, Kylar shares how a passion for hands-on work led him to the skilled trades, his journey through Skills competitions, and what it means to compete on the world stage. Joining him is his trainer, employer, and former WorldSkills competitor, Justin Fisher. Together, they discuss the unique mentor-apprentice relationship they've built, the lessons Justin learned from his own competition experience, and how those insights are helping prepare Kylar for the challenge ahead.
Episode 3 with Lucas Strang and Ken Heather
After winning gold at the Skills Canada National Competition 2025 in Regina, Lucas Stang is preparing to represent Canada in Welding at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. In this episode, Lucas shares how a farmhand job introduced him to welding, what inspired him to pursue the trade as a career, and the journey that took him from the shop floor to the world stage. Joining him is Team Canada Expert Ken Heather, a welder with 47 years of industry experience and more than two decades as a welding instructor. With six WorldSkills competitions as an Expert, Ken offers valuable insight into preparing competitors for international competition and the impact the Skills movement has had on his career.
Épisode 4 avec Logan Poisson et Mathieu Poisson
Pour Logan Poisson, représenter le Canada dans la catégorie « Aménagement paysager » au Mondial des métiers de Shanghai en 2026 est bien plus qu’une simple compétition. C’est un héritage familial. Dans cet épisode, Logan raconte son parcours, depuis ses débuts au sein de l’entreprise familiale d’aménagement paysager à Sherbrooke, au Québec, jusqu’à sa sélection au sein d’Équipe Canada. Il évoque sa passion pour le travail en plein air, la créativité inhérente à l’aménagement paysager et l’enthousiasme que lui procure la préparation à cette compétition internationale. Il est accompagné de son entraîneur et père, Mathieu Poisson, dont le parcours au sein de WorldSkills a débuté en 2011 et qui a notamment encadré plusieurs concurrents en préparation au Mondial des métiers. Ensemble, ils reviennent sur l’expérience unique que représente la préparation à cette compétition en tant qu’équipe père-fils, sur les leçons qu’ils ont apprises l’un de l’autre et sur le rôle que joue le mentorat dans le développement de la prochaine génération de professionnels des métiers spécialisés.
Episode 5 with Benjamin Jamison
From Air Cadets to Team Canada, Benjamin Jamison is preparing to represent Canada in Aircraft Maintenance at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. In this episode, Benjamin shares how his passion for aviation and working with his hands led him to a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, his journey through Skills competitions, and what it means to compete on the world stage. He also discusses the importance of mentorship, the lessons he's learned through competition, and why he's committed to inspiring the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Keegan Sturge is set to represent Team Canada in Electrical Installations at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. In this episode, he shares how his passion for hands-on work and problem solving sparked a career in the electrical trade, the journey that took him through Skills competitions, and the dedication required to compete on the international stage. Keegan also discusses the value of perseverance, continuous learning, and the pride of wearing the Maple Leaf while inspiring the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Épisode 7 avec Xavier Bélanger
La passion de Xavier Bélanger pour la construction, la réparation et la résolution de problèmes l’a mené jusqu’à la scène internationale. Dans cet épisode, il explique comment sa curiosité pour les métiers techniques et son désir de relever de nouveaux défis l’ont amené à poursuivre une carrière en réfrigération et climatisation. Il parle également de l’importance de trouver le juste équilibre entre rapidité et précision, des amitiés qu’il a tissées et des expériences qu’il a vécues, tout en expliquant pourquoi il croit que les métiers spécialisés offrent des possibilités infinies à ceux et celles qui sont prêts à se dépasser.
Every vehicle is a new challenge waiting to be solved which sparked a lifelong passion for Carter Kokot that led him to Team Canada to compete in Automobile Technology on the world stage. In this episode, Carter discusses the value of critical thinking and problem solving, and the dedication it takes to compete at the highest level. Carter also reflects on his goal of becoming a Red Seal and Lexus Master Technician, while encouraging the next generation to pursue a career in the skilled trades with confidence and determination.
From diagnosing massive machines to testing his skills under pressure, Luke Emeny is taking Heavy Vehicle Technology from the shop floor to the world stage. In this episode, Luke shares the unexpected path that led him into competition, what goes into preparing for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, and how technology is changing the future of his trade. He also opens up about handling the pressure of competition, trusting his training, and what it means to represent Canada on the international stage.
Where creativity meets precision, Dhefen Goh is stitching together the skills, confidence and determination needed to represent Canada on the world stage. In this episode, Dhefen shares her unexpected journey into Fashion Technology, her rise from a high school fashion program to national gold, and the intense training behind the preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. She reflects on how competition has pushed her outside her comfort zone, strengthened her confidence, and transformed a creative interest into an opportunity she never imagined.
Episode 11 with Maximilian De Belle Holowka
From laying his first brick to chasing the world stage, Maximilian de Belle Holowka is proving just how far determination, competition, and a whole lot of practice can take you. In this episode, Maximilian shares his unexpected path into bricklaying, the competitive drive that pushed him through the Skills competition circuit, and the lessons he’s carrying forward as he prepares for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. He also takes us inside the intense training, precision, and strategy required to compete at the highest level of his trade.
Episode 12 with Luca Assad & Andrew Assad
A passion for food, a competitive spirit and years of encouragement in the kitchen have helped shape Luca Assad’s journey to the world stage. In this episode, Luca shares her path into Culinary Arts, the competitive drive that helped take her from provincials to nationals, and the demanding training behind her preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Joined by her dad, Andrew, we also hear the family perspective on supporting a young competitor as she chases one of the biggest opportunities of her career.
Follow/suivez Skills/Compétences Canada:
- Website: https://www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SkillsCanadaOfficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillscompetencescanada/
- X: https://x.com/skills_canada
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skillscanada
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skillscompetencescanada
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There is no better time to be a member! The CWB Association membership is new, improved, and focused on you. We offer a FREE membership with a full suite of benefits to build your career, stay informed, and support the Canadian welding industry. Learn more: https://www.cwbgroup.org/association/become-a-member
C’est le meilleur moment d’être membre ! L'adhésion à l'Association du CWB est nouvelle, améliorée et centrée sur vous. Nous offrons une adhésion GRATUITE avec une gamme complète d'avantages pour développer votre carrière, rester informé et soutenir l'industrie canadienne du soudage. Pour en savoir plus : https://www.cwbgroup.org/fr/defense-des-interets/membres-de-lassociation