A 21-year Winkler man who is working towards his red seal as a bricklayer will be representing Team Canada at the World Skills event in Kazan, Russia in August.

After working his way through several other levels of competitions, Antonio Neufeld eventually earned his way to Russia after beating another bricklaying competitor at the national skills event in Halifax at the end of May.

One of the reasons Neufeld chose bricklaying as a career is because he loves working outdoors, but when it comes to his work ethic, Neufeld says it was his mom who inspired him to do his work well no matter what career he chose to do.

"Everything my mom does, she put her heart and soul into and she does really well, and she always taught me there's a worthwhile task in every task, so I try to follow that. I would follow that even if I wasn't a bricklayer. I just try to do good work because she does good work."

Prior to leaving for Russia, Neufeld will train with his instructor from Red River College in Winnipeg, and will also be going to Kitchener, Ontario to train for several weeks with a Skills Canada brick laying expert.

World Skills takes place from August 22-27th.