What began as a passion sparked in her father’s garage has led a St. Andrews apprentice to national recognition.
Cassandra Foy, a Level 4 Autobody Collision Repair apprentice at Red River College Polytechnic, was named Manitoba’s recipient of the RBC Best of Region Award at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto. The honour is awarded annually to the competitor with the highest weighted score from each province and territory and includes a $1,500 scholarship to support further education and training.
Cassandra Foy prepares a bumper for painting during her autobody collision repair training
Foy competed in the car painting category against students and apprentices from across Canada and said she was caught off guard when she learned she had won.
“My reaction hearing I won Best of Region really surprised me,” she said. “Manitoba had lots of hard-working students and I felt extremely proud that I was able to win that award.”
The national competition brought together more than 550 students and apprentices from across the country to compete in more than 40 skilled trades and technology events.
Foy said representing Manitoba on the national stage was one of the highlights of the experience.
“I felt proud being able to represent Manitoba and show that Manitoba has lots of dedicated students who work hard and strive to be the best of the best,” she said.
Although she entered the competition unsure of what to expect, Foy said her confidence grew as the event progressed. Much of the work required during the competition reflected tasks she regularly performs in the workplace, allowing her to rely on the training she had already received.
She credited the people who helped teach and mentor her throughout her apprenticeship for preparing her for the challenge.
“Believing in what I know and how to do the job really boosted my confidence and helped me stay calm throughout the competition,” she said.
One of the biggest challenges came in the area of colour tinting, a skill she identified as her least confident area heading into nationals. To prepare, she worked with a paint representative who visited her workplace and helped her improve her skills. During the competition, she relied on lessons from colour theory and guidance she had received from co-workers and peers.
A turning point came during the painting project on the second day of competition. While observing competitors use different techniques and approaches, Foy became increasingly confident in her own process.
“I felt like I was doing all my steps the best way possible,” she said. “I felt very confident in how I was completing each step and finishing each project.”
Beyond the technical skills, Foy said one of the most valuable lessons from the event was seeing how competitors from across Canada approached similar tasks in different ways. Despite competing against one another, participants remained professional and willing to learn from each other.
She said competitors often discussed projects and techniques after events concluded, creating an environment where everyone continued to grow and improve.
Receiving the RBC Best of Region Award has reinforced Foy’s confidence in her abilities and validated the effort she has invested in her apprenticeship.
“It shows me that my hard work is paying off and that I can feel confident in the workplace,” she said.
The $1,500 award will help her purchase additional tools and pursue specialized training opportunities related to the automotive refinishing industry.
Foy traces her interest in the autobody trade back to her childhood, when she spent time in the garage with her father working on automotive projects. While he focused primarily on auto mechanics, those experiences inspired her to explore the collision repair side of the industry.
Looking ahead, Foy hopes to one day open her own autobody shop alongside her fiancé. Their goal is to build a local business while helping support and mentor future apprentices entering the trade.
Foy also hopes to encourage more women to pursue careers in the skilled trades and become a mentor herself.
For young people considering a future in the trades, she offers advice that has stayed with her since the beginning of her career:
“Know your worth, and never undervalue yourself.”
She encourages young tradespeople to continue learning, stay confident in their abilities and remember that growth comes through experience.
“Everyone is learning more every day and you’ll never stop learning something new,” she said. “It’s an evolving trade, so you just have to evolve with it.”
