A Red Deer Polytechnic apprentice will show off his metal fusing expertise on a world stage.
Ben Rainforth, originally from Lacombe, has been selected by Skills Canada to compete in the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France Sept. 10-15.
Rainforth qualified for the competition as the highest-scoring, age-eligible welding competitor from last year's Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg, where he won the Best of Region Award and $1,500.
The WorldSkills Competition is held every two years and will bring together, 1,500 competitors from more than 60 countries competing in more than 60 skills. More than 250,000 spectators are expected.
Rainforth will be one of 28 skilled trade students and apprentices on Team Canada. This is not the first time Rainforth has been at a WorldSkills Competition. As a youngster, he was in the stands when the competition came to Calgary.
“I attended the 2009 WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, thanks to my grandpa, who had a big educational presence in the trades,” said Rainforth.
“When I learned I’ll be competing at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, it felt pretty incredible and a little surreal. It has been a long road to get here, and it’s such a proud and humbling moment for me and everyone that has been involved to get me to this incredible achievement.
“Nerves and adrenaline will be my two main concerns at the WorldSkills Competition. It’s hard to weld when your hands are shaking. I’m looking forward to representing Canada on the world stage.”
The WorldSkills Competition looks to inspire youth to discover skilled trade and technology careers. Since he was young Ben knew a career in the skilled trades, specifically welding, was for him.
“I grew up on a farm, so the trades always seemed like a good option for me,” said Rainforth. “My dad was a welder, so he’d fix everything on the farm, and I’d be there to watch.
“Once I took shop classes in high school, I knew welding was the trade for me.”
