RICHMOND, BC. — The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada and its workforce development brand, RV Careers, successfully captured the imagination of over a thousand young Canadians at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), held from May 28-29 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.
As the country’s only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices, SCNC serves as the premier stage for celebrating the skilled trades. This event gathered over 500 competitors from every region of Canada to compete in 45 distinct disciplines. The event drew an estimated 10,000 visiting students, alongside key stakeholders across industry, labor, government, education, and the non-profit sector, who engaged with more than 50 interactive Try-A-Trade activities.
The RV Careers showcase stood out on the exhibition floor with an innovative, hands-on activity centered around the theme, “Plan the Journey. Build the Career.”
The interactive experience served as an intentional operational metaphor for the RV sector. To succeed in any RV industry role—whether managing service scheduling, parts ordering, complex diagnostics, or customer timelines—professionals must rely on precise daily, weekly, monthly, and annual planning systems.
“It’s a myth that younger students aren’t thinking about their future,” said Anita Lien, Director of Marketing & Communications for the RVDA of Canada. “For many, our booth is their first time handling tools or stepping inside an RV to see the immense craftsmanship behind the scenes. Our role is to raise that awareness, helping students imagine these career possibilities while showing educators the reality of what drives the great Canadian outdoors.,” said Anita Lien, Director, Marketing & Communications, RVDA of Canada.
In keeping with the spirit of celebrating local talent, the booth featured a Prolite Evasion travel trailer, proudly manufactured in Canada. This gave students a firsthand look at domestic manufacturing craftsmanship right on the display floor. For many attendees who had never experienced RV camping, exploring the vehicle was a revelation. Visitors and educators alike were surprised to discover that supporting these sophisticated units requires a certified RV service technician to master elements of up to 27 different skilled trades, highlighting the immense depth and sophistication of the workforce.
This exposure to the reality of the trades is a critical element of shifting the broader educational paradigm.
“We want to encourage educators to bring more practical, hands-on learning into the modern classroom,” stated Chardell Brydon, Chair of the RVDA of Canada Education Committee. “It is vital that we encourage students to explore the incredible, high-tech opportunities within the skilled trades, rather than assuming university is the only path to a successful and fulfilling career. The RV industry offers robust, rewarding professional pathways that deserve a prominent spot on every student’s radar,” said Chardell Brydon, Business Manager, Jerry’s RV Trailer Sales & Service.
The grassroots momentum generated at SCNC 2026 aligns directly with upcoming workforce development frameworks. The Ontario RVDA (ORVDA) is currently developing a brand-new RV technician training pathway in Ontario, combining industry-focused technical education with a hybrid model of online and in-person learning for levels 1 and 2. With a phased implementation slated to begin in 2027, the updated curriculum will align with current propane training and examination before eventually integrating the full program.
Following the success of the Toronto showcase, RV Careers is already preparing to bring its interactive experience west for SCNC 2027 in Calgary, AB.
© 2026 RVBusiness G&G Media Group LLC
© 2026 RVBusiness G&G Media Group LLC
Leave a Reply