KAMLOOPS – The Trades & Technology Centre at Thompson Rivers University throws its doors wide open March 25, to welcome the public to an open house in conjunction with the high school Skills Canada competitions hosted by TRU the same day.

From 9 am to 3 pm every trades department, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, mechanics, computerized manufacturing and other electronics career programs will offer visitors hands-on opportunities to experience.

“People can try their hands at welding, there’ll be a nail-driving contest and Sumo robot wrestling,” said School of Trades & Technology dean’s assistant Cindi Thompson, who also coordinates the annual high school skills contest at TRU each year.

Thompson said the day promises fun and interest for the whole family. “There will also be lots of demonstrations and some great outdoor sports equipment like boats and sea-doos on display,” she added.

People can look in on Skills Canada competitors, who represent high schools from as far north as Clearwater and Williams Lake, south to Princeton, West to Lytton, and east as far as Revelstoke test their skills in an Olympic-style event in 10 trades and tech categories.

The Sumo robot wrestling competition is also a big draw. “This year is round two,” explained TRU electronics instructor and contest coordinator Darryl Hutcheon.

“The winning robot last year was built by an elementary school student,” added Hutcheon, who organizes mentoring sessions for those who wish to build a robot competitor.

To find out more about the contest, call 250-828-5137 or email.Or check out TRU’s sumo site.

For more information, please contact Darryl Hutcheon at 250-828-5137 or Cindi Thompson at 250-828-5207