In a first for Rainbow District School Board, a Grade 11 student from Lockerby Composite School has captured Gold at the Skills Canada National Competition. Esohe Aibangbee placed first in the Workplace Health and Safety category. The competition was held in Regina, Saskatchewan from May 27 to 31, 2025.
With an impressive score of 87.01 per cent, Esohe Aibangbee demonstrated an extraordinary level of knowledge, a keen eye for identifying hazards, and an exceptional ability to communicate what this means to a young worker starting out in a new job.
"Esohe Aibangbee is the best in Canada and we are so proud of her," said Principal Ryan Lafraniere. Teacher Pat Campeau worked with Esohe to help her learn about Workplace Health and Safety. "With a keen interest in the subject, Esohe took it upon herself to glean all that she could about keeping workers safe, which is critical in all work environments," said Principal Lafraniere.
In the days leading up to the nationals and on the way to Regina, Esohe spent time practising hazard identification and prevention. She studied the Green Book and relevant resources to better understand the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations.
Rainbow District School Board Director of Education, Bruce Bourget, congratulated Esohe Aibangbee for her exceptional showing on a national level. "Workplace Health and Safety is essential in all sectors of the economy," he said. "It is especially important in the skilled trades and, as such, is a critical component of the training."
Not only did Esohe Aibangbee earn a Gold medal locally, provincially and nationally, she received something that was even more important to her. "I gained experience," she said. "I feel honoured and I appreciate the efforts that went into organizing these competitions."
Interested in working in the medical field, Esohe said she welcomed the opportunity to explore health and safety careers in the trades. "This has certainly encouraged me to consider diverse options," she said.
Approximately 500 students from all Provinces and Territories participated in the Skills Canada National Competition, including Cambrian College's Evan Patrick Provost in IT Network Systems Administration. A graduate of Sudbury Secondary School, Evan Patrick Provost captured Gold provincially to compete nationally. Evan won a bronze medal at Skills Ontario in 2024. Evan is enrolled in Cambrian's Computer Systems Technology program.
It was the best year ever at Skills Ontario for Team/Équipe Sudbury - Powered by Manitoulin Transport. The team won 16 medals: 3 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze.
The full provincial team included 160 students and teachers from Cambrian College, Collège BoréaI and the local school boards. Thirteen students from Rainbow Schools captured top honours at the Skills Ontario Competition - a record for Rainbow District School Board.
"What an incredible year for Team/Équipe Sudbury, as this is the most medals we have ever won at a single Skills Ontario competition," said Renee Scott, Cambrian's Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Student Success and the chief organizer of Team/Équipe Sudbury. "It really speaks to the skill and dedication of our students and their teachers who prepared them so well for this year's event. It shows that students in Sudbury can compete with the best in the province."
Esohe Aibangbee's gold medal also shows that students in Sudbury can compete with the best in the country.
