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Deaf chef works to be role model
In his crisp white chef hat and apron, Larry Henderson hovers over a makeshift kitchen in the basement of the Big Four Building, preparing to create the meal of his life.
The 25-year-old is fighting for a spot in the international WorldSkills competition being held in Calgary next fall.
Born deaf, Henderson refuses to allow a lack of hearing to interfere with his dream cooking career.
Larry Henderson, 25, is hoping he can pave the way for others to enter the culinary arts, especially those who have physical challenges.
"I've always wanted to compete," Henderson said through an interpreter.
"I want to be a good role model for deaf people. I want to show we can do anything hearing people can."
Hundreds of Canadian youth descended on the Stampede grounds Monday to participate in the two-day national skills competition.
Judges in 40 trades are searching for the best young workers this country has to offer.
Those who claim coveted medals will go on to represent Canada in the upcoming WorldSkills competition also to be hosted in Calgary, from Sept. 1 to 6, 2009.
With nearly 1,000 participants from 49 countries expected to attend Calgary's skilled trades Olympics next year, Premier Ed Stelmach confirmed Monday the province will contribute $24 million towards this skills showcase.
Finding solutions to the skills shortage remains critical to Alberta's future economy, said Stelmach.
Last month, 3,600 jobs were added in the province at the same time as the unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 per cent, the lowest in the country.
According to the Conference Board of Canada, Alberta could be short 330,000 workers by 2025.
"These 900 skilled competitors planning to come here to Calgary next year would hardly solve our labour shortage by themselves. But they will inspire thousands of others to follow their lead and become apprentices in one of the dozens of trades in demand these days," Stelmach said.
One of the main goals of hosting WorldSkills is to raise awareness among students about trades career opportunities, said Mike Holmes, host of HGTV's Holmes on Homes and Canada's most recognized contractor.
"I think in the last 20 years parents have been encouraging their kids to do other things. (For) whatever reason, being a contractor or being in the skilled trades has gotten a bad rap," said Holmes, who is the honorary spokesman for WorldSkills Calgary.
"It's a hard industry. Competition is too much. . . . (But) I think we need to say, you've got to get into this," he said.
Henderson is hoping he can pave the way for others to enter the culinary arts, especially those who have physical challenges.
"I really do want to become an executive chef someday and maybe own my own kitchen where there was an entire staff of deaf people," said Henderson.
"But there aren't really a lot of deaf people involved in cooking, so I'm really hoping to get some more people involved."
In the meantime, Henderson is teaching his co-workers at the Redwater Rustic Grille basic signs for utensils and foods, making the kitchen a more exciting and fun place, said executive chef Dennis Jeffery.
In turn, the local restaurant is cheering on its favourite WorldSkills chef contender.
"He's exceptionally talented and we're really proud of him," Jeffery said.
In his crisp white chef hat and apron, Larry Henderson hovers over a makeshift kitchen in the basement of the Big Four Building, preparing to create the meal of his life.
The 25-year-old is fighting for a spot in the international WorldSkills competition being held in Calgary next fall.
Born deaf, Henderson refuses to allow a lack of hearing to interfere with his dream cooking career.
Larry Henderson, 25, is hoping he can pave the way for others to enter the culinary arts, especially those who have physical challenges.
"I've always wanted to compete," Henderson said through an interpreter.
"I want to be a good role model for deaf people. I want to show we can do anything hearing people can."
Hundreds of Canadian youth descended on the Stampede grounds Monday to participate in the two-day national skills competition.
Judges in 40 trades are searching for the best young workers this country has to offer.
Those who claim coveted medals will go on to represent Canada in the upcoming WorldSkills competition also to be hosted in Calgary, from Sept. 1 to 6, 2009.
With nearly 1,000 participants from 49 countries expected to attend Calgary's skilled trades Olympics next year, Premier Ed Stelmach confirmed Monday the province will contribute $24 million towards this skills showcase.
Finding solutions to the skills shortage remains critical to Alberta's future economy, said Stelmach.
Last month, 3,600 jobs were added in the province at the same time as the unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 per cent, the lowest in the country.
According to the Conference Board of Canada, Alberta could be short 330,000 workers by 2025.
"These 900 skilled competitors planning to come here to Calgary next year would hardly solve our labour shortage by themselves. But they will inspire thousands of others to follow their lead and become apprentices in one of the dozens of trades in demand these days," Stelmach said.
One of the main goals of hosting WorldSkills is to raise awareness among students about trades career opportunities, said Mike Holmes, host of HGTV's Holmes on Homes and Canada's most recognized contractor.
"I think in the last 20 years parents have been encouraging their kids to do other things. (For) whatever reason, being a contractor or being in the skilled trades has gotten a bad rap," said Holmes, who is the honorary spokesman for WorldSkills Calgary.
"It's a hard industry. Competition is too much. . . . (But) I think we need to say, you've got to get into this," he said.
Henderson is hoping he can pave the way for others to enter the culinary arts, especially those who have physical challenges.
"I really do want to become an executive chef someday and maybe own my own kitchen where there was an entire staff of deaf people," said Henderson.
"But there aren't really a lot of deaf people involved in cooking, so I'm really hoping to get some more people involved."
In the meantime, Henderson is teaching his co-workers at the Redwater Rustic Grille basic signs for utensils and foods, making the kitchen a more exciting and fun place, said executive chef Dennis Jeffery.
In turn, the local restaurant is cheering on its favourite WorldSkills chef contender.
"He's exceptionally talented and we're really proud of him," Jeffery said.