Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) apprentices continue to showcase their growing impact within Canada's labour force, earning national recognition for their top-tier competencies on the competitive stage.
Dane Schmidt
All three RDP apprentices -- Ty McCartney (Carpentry), Nathan Brehaut (Sprinkler Systems Installer) and Dane Schmidt (Welding) -- earned gold medals at the recent 2026 Skills Canada National Competition held in Toronto. Brehaut also won the RBC Best of Region Award for having the best weighted score from Alberta. These medals further support Red Deer Polytechnic's national reputation for exceptional skilled trades training.
"Our apprentices continue to demonstrate the strength of RDP's skilled trades training, and their national success reflects the deep value of our instruction and partnerships with industry," says David Pye, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology at Red Deer Polytechnic. "By leveraging the Central Alberta Trades Strategy, we are modernizing how learners access training, strengthening coordination across the region and ensuring long-term sustainability in the skilled trades. These efforts position our graduates to meet industry needs with confidence and to contribute meaningfully to Alberta's economic prosperity."
Since 2003, RDP apprentices have earned 104 medals across Provincial and National Skills Canada competitions, along with WorldSkills events, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of excellence.
Nathan Brehaut
Building on this legacy, Lucas Stang (Welding) will represent Red Deer Polytechnic and Canada at the 48th WorldSkills Competition that will be held in Shanghai, China from September 22-27, 2026, marking another milestone in RDP's growing international presence.
Red Deer Polytechnic's industry-aligned skilled trades programs play a pivotal role in shaping Alberta's future workforce. Through deep collaboration with employers and sector partners, RDP equips apprentices with the practical, high-demand skills needed across the province, directly helping to close critical labour gaps and strengthen Alberta's economic resilience.
RDP is advancing its role as a leader in skilled trades education through the Central Alberta Trades Strategy, a collaborative initiative designed to modernize and expand training opportunities across the region. By enhancing access, increasing flexibility, improving regional coordination and ensuring long-term sustainability, the Strategy positions central Alberta to respond effectively to emerging labour demands. This unified approach will help develop the highly skilled workforce required to support industry growth, fuel innovation and strengthen the province's long-term economic outlook.
Ty McCartney
More information about RDP's 17 apprenticeships can be found at: rdpolytech.ca/trades.
