An electrifying win: Northern Alberta student represents Canada at trades skills competition in Shanghai

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsNational An electrifying win: Northern Alberta student represents Canada at trades skills competition in Shanghai While funding has been a major hurdle for the 21-year –old, his dedication has not fall short. He spends more than six hours every day, connecting complex wiring systems and programming diverse electrical systems in preparation for the largest competition of his career Author of the article: By Itoro Umanah Published Sep 14, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation Keegan Sturge will represent Canada at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China from Sept. 23 to 28. Fort McMurray, Alta. Sept. 8, 2026. PHOTO BY ITORO UMANAH /Postmedia Network Article content Keegan Sturge was only a middle-schooler when he knew the traditional ‘university degree to corporate job’ path was not his to follow. Article content By age 17, with the support of his parents, he had enrolled as a dual credit electrical student at Keyano College, Fort McMurray. Article content Article content A year later, Sturge would find himself winning medals from building complex electrical installations at regional and provincial competitions. Article content Article content Now, at 21, the Fort McMurray born and raised student is heading to Shanghai, China, with skills expert Jason Taylor, this Friday, as the Canadian competitor in the WorldSkills Competition—representing the province and the country on a global stage. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The WorldSkills Competition this year will be the 48th edition of the event and is expected to draw over 1,400 Competitors from more than 70 countries. Article content From 23 to 26 September 2026, contestants from around the world will flock into the metropolitan city to display their mastery across a range of 64 skills, from 3D digital game art to additive manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, bakery, carpentry, bricklaying, amongst many others. Article content Sturge describes the feeling of representing his country globally as something surreal. Article content “It feels good, but it hasn’t quite set in yet. I compete in ten days now, but it still hasn’t set in that I am the…