A bronze medal would have been enough for some competitors. For Braden Kereliuk, it felt like unfinished business.

When the steamfitter-pipefitter apprentice left the Skills Canada National Competition last year with a bronze, he was proud of the result. It was his first time on the national stage, competing against some of the country's best apprentices.

But as the excitement faded, another feeling took its place.

“I knew there was unfinished business,” Kereliuk says. “I was instantly eager to come back and do a better job than I did before.”

This year, he did exactly that.

The apprentice from Two Hills, Alta., captured gold at the national competition, a result that reflected not only technical skill, but a willingness to keep learning, improving and challenging himself. And that mindset has been with him for years.

Kereliuk credits a combination of experience, determination and support from his instructors at Lakeland College for helping him improve on last year’s result.

“This year was a lot less stressful compared to my first time,” he says. “Last year everything was new and exciting. This year I knew what to expect and had a lot less nerves going into the competition.”

When the results were announced, Kereliuk says his excitement was accompanied by relief.

“The two days of competition are hectic and stressful and seeing the outcome was an incredible relief,” he says.

Kereliuk’s gold medal represents more than a competition result, however. He mentions the significance of his first-place finish.

“To me it means that I can adapt and overcome problems and prove to myself that I can get better each and every day,” he says.

Kereliuk credits both his instructors and employer for helping him reach that goal.

“I owe my success to my instructors at Lakeland for pushing me to grow and better myself, as well as my boss who has given me the room and opportunity to learn and experience new things at my workplace,” he says.

Looking ahead, Kereliuk plans to continue gaining experience in the trade and taking on new challenges. His advice to future apprentices is to stay open to learning new skills.

“The single most important thing is to be prepared to learn,” he says. “Not just during your apprenticeship or training, but throughout your whole career. Always be ready to gain some new skills or knowledge.”

Photos courtesy of Skills Canada: Top - Braden Kereliuk competes at the Skills Canada National Competition in the steamfitter-pipefitter category. Braden Kereliuk stands at the Skills Canada National Competition podium, wearing his gold medal and holding the Alberta flag.