In this episode we sit down with Kylar Bloomberg, representing Team Canada in Plumbing, as he prepares to compete on the world stage at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2026. Kylar shares how his Skills journey began through mentorship and training with Justin Fisher, his trainer and a former WorldSkills plumbing competitor who represented Canada in 2017. He also talks about working closely with his WorldSkills Canada Expert, Kylar’s guidance and support as he prepares for international competition.

Kylar reflects on his experience in Skills competitions, what it takes to earn a spot on Team Canada, and how his training is progressing for WorldSkills Shanghai. He also explores opportunities to train outside of Canada and the importance of broadening his skills to compete at the highest level.

In this episode, we sit down with Bella Kehoe, a talented Graphic Design alumna whose Skills journey continues to come full circle.

Bella first competed in 2023, earning gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition and securing her spot on Team Alberta for the national competition in Winnipeg, where she went on to win bronze. She returned in 2024 and did it again, taking home gold provincially and representing Team Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec City.

But Bella’s story does not stop at competing. She came back in 2025 as an Alumni Ambassador at Provincials and now gives back to the program as a member of the Provincial Technical Committee for Graphic Design, helping shape the competition for future competitors. Currently on her journey to become a teacher, Bella hopes to one day bring her own students on a field trip to experience the Skills competitions firsthand.

Alongside her education goals, Bella continues to pursue her creative passion through her small business, Wild and Free Custom Apparel, which you can find on Instagram and Facebook. She also designed incredible pieces for Team Alberta during her 2024 competition. Be sure to check out those designs on our socials along with the episode post.

Tune in to hear Bella talk about competition, creativity, giving back, and how Skills helped shape both her career and her future in education.

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!

In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Anika Jones, who will be representing Canada in Car Painting at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Anika’s path started at NAIT, where her passion for creativity and her love of cars came together in the world of automotive refinishing. Drawn to the blend of artistry, precision, and technical skill, Anika found her place in Car Painting—an environment where her creative instincts could shine.

Anika competed twice at the Skills Canada Alberta Provincial Competition, earning first place on her second attempt, which propelled her to Nationals. Her continued growth, discipline, and commitment to mastering her craft ultimately earned her a coveted spot on Team Canada.

Joined by her WorldSkills Canada Expert and Trainer, Car Painting alumna Cecile Bukmeier, Anika is now deepening her technique, elevating her finish quality, and preparing for the incredible challenge ahead as she trains for the world stage.

This is only the beginning of Anika’s story—we’ll be catching up with her again after the competition to hear all about her experience in the fall of 2026. Stay tuned as we continue to share the inspiring paths of Alberta’s 12 Team Canada competitors.