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J.D. Irving, Limited is once again supporting the only national, multi-trade and technology event for skilled trade and technology students and apprentices in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 27-30, 2019.

Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth, is proud to announce that J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) and Irving Shipbuilding have been confirmed as Premier Sponsors of the 2019 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC).

SCC is very pleased to announce that JDI will once again be supporting SCNC in celebration of its 25 anniversary. Under J.D. Irving’s Group of Companies, there will be support from Kent Building Supplies and Irving Shipbuilding through this partnership. The Skills Canada National Competition represents an opportunity for J.D. Irving, Limited and Irving Shipbuilding to create awareness of the career options available to youth. Several SCNC trades are related to the ocean industry, including welding, industrial mechanic millwright and many others. The J.D. Irving Group of Companies will be onsite to meet with visiting students, competitors and the public at their Try-A-Trade® and Technology activity booth. Over 7,500 students from Nova Scotia are expected to attend SCNC Halifax 2019. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in over 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities, feel the excitement of the competition and meet key industry and educational representatives during the 25^th Skills Canada National Competition.

“The JDI team is proud to sponsor the 2019 Skills Canada National Competition in Halifax. We look forward to welcoming talented young women and men from across the country. There is a bright future awaiting them in skilled trades. Our 2019-2021 hiring forecast includes 700 skilled trades and this event is a great opportunity to meet the next generation and share with them the careers they can grow at our company,” says James D. Irving, Co-Chief Executive Officer of J.D. Irving, Limited.

SCC is delighted to be working with JDI and Irving Shipbuilding for this year’s competition. Their generous support will enable Skills Canada to better promote careers in skilled trades and technology to students and apprentices in Canada through this impactful event. According to Buildforce Canada, as many as 250,000 skilled workers in the construction trades alone, are planning to retire this decade. Building a skilled workforce in this sector is vital to the prosperity of our country.

“Through our partnership with J.D. Irving, Limited and Irving Shipbuilding, we are able to promote the many lucrative career options that exist in the skilled trades and technology. These careers are evolving with the use of digital tools and emerging technologies, and getting youth involved has become increasingly important in order to build our future workforce as there will be an intensified demand for skilled labour,” says Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada.

About J.D. Irving, Limited

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States. We are a team of over 16,000 (FTE) with business units in:

• Agriculture
• Construction & Equipment
• Consumer Products
• Food
• Forestry & Forestry Products
• Retail & Distribution
• Shipbuilding & Industrial Fabrication
• Transportation & Logistics

Since our inception over 135 years ago, our employees continue to build JDI into a diverse group of performance-driven enterprises. Our dedicated team using the best practices to make the best products enables us to better serve our customers – at home and around the globe.

Learn more at www.jdirving.com.

About Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is the most modern shipbuilder and in-service ship support provider in North America. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, our skilled team and innovative facilities provide efficient building, fabrication, conversion and servicing of vessels and offshore platforms. As Canada's chosen shipbuilder, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is working with the Royal Canadian Navy on the next class of Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) and Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) vessels under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). We are proud to continue our long history as a trusted partner in Canadian shipbuilding. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is a member of the J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies, a diverse family owned company with operations in Canada and the United States.

Learn more at www.IrvingShipbuilding.com or www.ShipsforCanada.ca.

About Skills/Compétences Canada

Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization with partner Skills Canada organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth including students and apprentices. Skills Canada is also the Canadian Member Organization of WorldSkills.

Its unique position among private and public-sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada’s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. SCC and its member organizations work with the regulatory authorities that administer apprenticeship training for the over 300 skilled trade occupations that are recognized in Canada. Once an apprentice completes their training, they can go on to complete the Red Seal exam, the national standard of excellence, and become a certified journeyperson.

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