Ontario Construction News staff writer
Skills Ontario has introduced a social media video challenge, using hashtag #SkillsAtHome, to “encourage the fun and continuous exploration of these career paths.” the organization says in a statement.
While many are staying home during COVID-19, Skills Ontario says it is providing engaging activities through social media with a campaign that launched last Saturday. The #SkillsAtHome series will consist of several challenges through coming weeks relating to the skilled trades and technologies.
To kick off the series, Skills Ontario has launched the #SkillsRollercoasterChallenge, where applicants are challenged to build a roller coaster out of household supplies that keeps a ball in motion for more than five seconds without letting it touch the floor. This tests skills in the motive power, transportation, and construction sectors of the skilled trades and tech.
Skills Ontario staff will judge video entries based on the length of the track and the amount of social media interactions on the Tweet submissions, as well as creativity, visual appeal, and construction.
“These are extraordinary times,” says Skills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft. “Skills Ontario works to provide youth and their parents/guardians opportunities to explore skilled trades and tech through the challenging circumstances we’re facing. It was a disappointing decision to cancel our 2020 Skills Ontario Competition, originally scheduled for May 4-6, but the right one, as we prioritize the health and safety of the many Ontarians we reach.
Through this social media initiative, our goal is to ensure that our many audiences can continue to learn about skilled trades and technologies through fun, experiential learning, all while staying safe at home.”
To participate in the challenge, audiences will be asked to share their video submissions on Twitter. Winners are chosen by the Skills Ontario team, and will be awarded prizes provided by Skills Ontario and its partners. All challenge details can be found at skillsontario.com/skillsathome.
Along with Twitter, Skills Ontario can also be found on Instagram at @skillsontario, on LinkedIn at “Skills Ontario”, and on Facebook at “Skills Canada – Ontario.”