Algonquin College is celebrating a national championship after learner Tom Hoy earned a Gold Medal in Network Systems Administration at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), held May 28 and 29 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.
Hoy represented Team Ontario at the national competition after capturing gold in IT Network Systems Administration at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition earlier this spring. His national victory places him among the top skilled trade and technology competitors in Canada and highlights the exceptional talent being developed through Algonquin College’s hands-on, industry-focused learning environment.
“Tom’s achievement is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to his dedication, technical expertise and commitment to excellence,” said Julie Beauchamp, Senior Vice President, Academic at Algonquin College. “We are incredibly proud to see him represent both Algonquin College and Ontario on the national stage and return home with a gold medal. His success reflects the strength of our learners, faculty and industry-connected programs.”
The Skills Canada National Competition is the country’s only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices. Each year, more than 550 competitors from every region of Canada participate in more than 40 skilled trade and technology contests, showcasing their abilities through hands-on challenges that reflect real-world industry standards.
Hoy’s national gold medal follows an impressive performance by Algonquin College learners at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, held May 4 and 5 in Toronto. A team of 28 learners represented the College, earning a total of three gold, three silver and four bronze medals across a broad range of skilled trade and technology categories. Alisha Haaksman, a gold medal winner at Skills Ontario in the Auto Paint category, also competed at Skills Canada for Algonquin College.
Guided by dedicated faculty coaches, Algonquin College competitors showcased their skills in disciplines spanning automotive service, truck and coach, architectural technology, cabinetmaking, geographic information systems and information technology. Their success reflects the College’s polytechnic approach to education, where classroom learning is paired with practical, hands-on experience that prepares graduates to excel in the workforce.
Algonquin College’s medal winners at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition were:
Gold
- Alisha Haaksman, Auto Paint
- Ben Holland, Truck and Coach
- Tom Hoy, IT Network Systems Administration
Silver
- Ben Huyck, Auto Collision
- Elijah VanDyk, Auto Service Technology
- Ryder Rose, Architectural Technology and Design
Bronze
- James Moore Ede, Truck and Coach
- Mateo Guitard, Cabinetmaking
- Owen Lloyd and Nathan Law, GIS
- Wolfgang Colomb, Architectural Technology and Design
