The Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) is Canada’s largest multi‑trade and technology showcase, bringing together hundreds of top post‑secondary competitors from across the country to demonstrate their abilities in real‑world, industry‑aligned challenges.
The event is organized by Skills/Compétences Canada, a national, not‑for‑profit organization headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that was founded in 1989.
Held at Toronto’s Enercare Centre on May 28–29, 2026, the event spans more than 40 skilled disciplines, from construction and manufacturing to transportation, information technology, and service‑sector trades. Thousands of students, educators, and industry partners attend each year to explore hands‑on demonstrations, Try‑A‑Trade activities, and live competition stations that highlight the depth of skill required across Canada’s workforce.
SCNC caters to a wide range of technical professions, including welding, CNC machining, industrial control, electrical installation, web development, graphic design, and culinary arts.
Within the transportation sector, the event features Automotive Service, Aircraft Maintenance, Car Painting, and the Heavy Vehicle Technology competition—one of the most technically demanding categories on the floor. These disciplines give visitors a close look at the diagnostic, mechanical, and problem‑solving capabilities required in today’s equipment and vehicle service industries, while also helping employers connect with the next generation of skilled technicians.
The Heavy Vehicle Technology competition is designed to mirror the demands of modern heavy‑duty service environments, where technicians must diagnose, repair, and maintain increasingly complex equipment.
According to the contest description, the purpose of the challenge is to allow competitors to “safely and efficiently diagnose, repair, and maintain any part of the power train, including its control systems, in mobile and stationary industrial equipment.”
The competition spans 12 hours over two days, beginning with a 7:30 AM orientation and an 8:00 AM start time.
Competitors rotate through six stations, each two hours long, covering the core systems found in heavy‑duty trucks and equipment. The contest stations are:
- Engine Systems;
- Hydraulic Systems,
- Electrical Systems,
- Drive‑Train Systems,
- Steering, Braking and Undercarriage Systems,
- Workplace Practices.
Each station evaluates a different set of technical competencies, from fault identification to precision measurement.
Tasks may include diagnosing electrical faults, performing hydraulic tests, interpreting service information, completing pre‑delivery inspections, or troubleshooting diesel engine performance issues. Competitors must use the tools, equipment, and service‑information software provided by Skills/Compétences Canada, which may include Caterpillar, Volvo, Cummins, John Deere, Komatsu, and other manufacturers.
Safety is a major component of the competition. The contest description noted that competitors must “consistently and diligently follow the best procedures to protect health and safety in the working environment.” Required PPE includes high‑visibility workwear, CSA‑approved safety boots, safety eyewear, hearing protection, and snug‑fitting mechanics' gloves. Any competitor lacking the required PPE will not be permitted to participate.
Judging is based on a detailed scoring structure that evaluates safety, use of technical information, logical repair order, tool use, accurate measurement, fault identification, system repair, communication of repair processes, and workmanship.
Each of the six stations contributes roughly 16.7 percent to the final score, with Workplace Practices weighted at 16.5 percent. In the event of a tie, the highest score in the Safety criteria determines the winner.
The competition also reinforces the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success framework, which identifies nine essential skills for workplace success. The contest description highlights numeracy, communication, reading, writing, problem-solving, and digital skills as key components integrated into the tasks.
For more information, visit www.skillscanada.com.