Mike Scheideman has won Team Canada’s lone gold medal at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. The biannual competition – regarded by many as the “trade Olympics” – brings together the world’s most talented young skilled trades and technology competitors. Scheideman, 21, who is featured in the May/June 2013 edition (p46) of HPAC magazine, won the Best of Nation award in the Heating and Refrigeration category. The Grande Prairie, AB, native was joined on the podium by 14 Canadian teammates who received Medallions of Excellence. A total of 35 competitors (27 men, eight women) aged 17 to 22 represented Canada at this year’s competition. The six-day event drew more than more than 1000 competitors from 53 countries/regions – the largest ever for a competition of its kind. Shaun Thorson, CEO for Skills Canada, said preparing for WorldSkills required months of training, hard work and dedication by the 35 members who made up Team Canada 2013. “We are exceptionally proud of their outstanding performance and look forward to seeing their careers flourish,” he said. “We are also grateful to our sponsors and partners for their ongoing support which is integral in building Canada’s skilled trade workforce.”
