Lakeland College's Tyler Bendfeld has returned from Skills Canada with another medal - this time, the gold. Bendfeld, a third-year carpenter apprentice from Heisler, Alta., competed in the national competition last year as well, winning silver.

Tyler Bendfeld wears his gold medal while holding Alberta's flag “I felt like I had a good chance of getting the gold if I did the best job I could,” Bendfeld says. “I was well prepared and well supported. My employer J D McTavish Construction has been an awesome source of support for both years, ensuring I can compete, and my instructors from Lakeland have always helped me through the competitions. My family was very excited to see what I was able to accomplish as well. It's a great experience, having all these people supporting me. I was nervous but also excited to be able to show what I can do again and challenge myself. It's really rewarding to bring home a gold medal for Lakeland. I feel great.”

Bendfeld competed at Skills Canada in Winnipeg, Man., on May 25 and 26. To qualify, he first competed in Skills Alberta, winning gold, just as he had done last year.

“Watching Tyler win gold at provincials and silver at nationals last year was awesome,” says Curtis Cassibo, carpentry instructor at Lakeland who accompanied Bendfeld to Skills Canada both years. “Coming back and competing to win gold this year was Tyler's goal. I had told him that we were all proud of him no matter where he placed, but the competitive side of him and the experience from the previous year's competitions gave him the edge over the other carpenters this year. It is a huge accomplishment to win provincials by itself, but to win nationals as well is amazing. Having Tyler on the podium two years in a row at the national competition is an incredible feat and says a lot about his skills and determination.”

Skills Canada is an annual competition where provincial champions in transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, services and employment compete and have their projects judged to strict industry standards.

Photo: Tyler Bendfeld wears his gold medal while holding Alberta's flag