By Tom Davis
Winnipeg, Manitoba — October 4, 2017 — Ashley Weber, who works as an autobody technician and car painter at Urban Autobody in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will represent Canada as our car painting competitor at the upcoming WorldSkills event in Abu Dhabi.
Weber, who during high school took academic courses along with vocational trade courses to graduate with a dual diploma in mechanics and autobody, will compete against 26 other competitors from around the worl to challenge for the prestigious award.
She first became involved in skills competitions in grade 12 when her autobody teacher suggested that she should compete. Weber went on to compete in the Skills Manitoba Provincial and Skills Canada National competitions in 2015, before qualifying as a Team Canada 2017 prospect for the world event in the same competitions last year.
Speaking of being chosen for the competition, Weber said: “I’m very honoured to have been picked for the final and it’s an amazing feeling to know that a girl can get this far, and it’s a special privilege to represent not only Canada but also Manitoba.”
Victor Celhar, owner of Urban Autobody, added: “It’s excellent for Ashley to have got this far, it’s also fantastic to have someone on the team here at Urban Autobody to have progressed so far in the competition.”
Weber’s current career goals are to receive her Red Seal and journeyperson certification, along with competing successfully at the WorldSkills event.
WorldSkills Team Canada 2017 is made up of 31 young women and men who have been selected as the top competitors in Canada in their chosen trade or field. The event will see business, industry and education leaders from all WorldSkills member countries and regions visit Abu Dhabi in what will be the first WorldSkills event held in the Middle East.
