Team Alberta 2011
Secondary Level
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
High School: Bev Facey High School
Skills Competitions: 2010 Provincial, 2011 Provincial and National
“Holding back gains nothing. Strive for your best and you will receive your desires!”

Trainer Helps Hairstylist Competitor Shine

Nick Gaze is continuing to brush up on his hairstyling skills for the upcoming Provincial and National Skills Canada competitions in Edmonton in May 2012, with the help of his trainer, Alannah Zilkowsky.

A former Skills Competitor who is now a certified hairstylist, Alannah knows about the challenges of Skills events firsthand. She placed first in the provincial hairstyling competition in 2010 and went on to finish 5^th at the national competition later that year, before signing on as a trainer in 2011 when she was no longer eligible to compete.

"Skills Competitions are an excellent way for young people to improve their skills and confidence, and gain experience in their future career choice, giving them a head start in the competitive trades industry,” said Alannah. “Competitors also have the opportunity to meet and work with many people, and gain the status of having competed in the competition, and possibly winning medals, which is a great addition to any resume.”

Nick is currently in the second year of his apprenticeship training program and employed with Alannah at Twisted Banana Hair Studios in Sherwood Park. Having placed first at Provincials and Nationals in 2011, Nick is hoping to take home the Gold again at both levels, securing his place in WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 in Germany.

“The possibility of going to Germany in 2013 is what makes me strive for the best like there's no tomorrow!” said Nick. “The opportunity to travel to another country for doing what I love is all I need to give the competitions everything I have.”

Commitment, confidence and good time management skills are some of the qualities Alannah and Nick believe help make competitors successful. “The ability to take constructive criticism, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn new things are also important,” added Alannah.

For Nick, the competitions are about perseverance. “People say you learn more from your mistakes than your successes. Continuing to compete after a let-down is a challenge but it’s important to never give up,” he said.

Alannah chose to become a trainer because she enjoys passing on her knowledge and seeing new students experience the excitement and adrenaline-rush of competition. “It’s very rewarding to see Nick grow as a competitor and to see him up on stage winning Gold at the Provincial and National Competitions, and knowing all that hard work and dedication paid off,” she said.

Nick has no doubt the skills and lessons he has learned through Skills Competitions will help him in his future career. “Being able to manage many things at once is a lesson anyone could benefit from,” he said, “and when that experience tests your work ethic, passion, and confidence the way Skills Competitions do, the rewards are never-ending.”

Nick is thankful to have found a trainer who understands him so well and encourages him to strive for excellence no matter what. “Alannah pushes me and is tough at times … but without her push, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.

Good luck, Nick!