Red Deer Polytechnic welder ranks 6th of 39 at WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai
Lucas Stang earned a Medal of Excellence in the post-secondary welding category, one of 13 Canadians recognized among more than 1,400 competitors from 70 countries.
Why it matters
The result highlights Red Deer Polytechnic's trades training as producing internationally competitive talent in a sector facing skilled labour demand.
Lucas Stang, a welding apprentice at Red Deer Polytechnic, has earned a Medal of Excellence at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, ranking sixth among 39 participants in the post-secondary welding category.
Stang trained alongside his coach and RDP instructor Lee Yasinski for up to 12 hours a day to prepare for the international competition. He was one of 13 Canadian competitors to receive a medal of excellence, out of a 29-person Canadian delegation competing against more than 1,400 competitors from 70 countries and regions.
David Pye, Dean of RDP's School of Trades and Technology, congratulated Stang and Yasinski, saying the result reflects the strength of skilled trades training available at the polytechnic alongside its industry partners.
Looking ahead, the next Skills Canada Alberta Post-Secondary Competition is set for May 5 and 6, 2027 in Calgary, with gold medalists advancing to the Skills Canada National Competition on May 27 and 28, 2027. Top apprentices from that event will go on to represent their institution and Canada at the 49th WorldSkills Competition in Aichi, Japan, from November 15-20, 2028.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.