November 2, 2017
Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction to be Announced
The Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction event recognizing the exceptional support of professionals dedicated to training apprentices in Manitoba will be presented tonight at a ceremony at the RBC Convention Centre, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.
“Education and skills training are the building blocks for our future economic success and apprenticeship is a key part of that equation,” said Wishart. “That’s why it’s so important to recognize the people and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to apprenticeship in Manitoba. I congratulate all of the nominees for their outstanding work.”
The annual awards ceremony and dinner takes place as part of Manitoba’s Apprenticeship Recognition Week and celebrates those who have shared their time and talent to train apprentices, and to raise the profile of apprenticeship and certification in the skilled trades in Manitoba, the minister added.
Seven awards will be presented in the categories of employer of the year (urban and rural), journeyperson of the year (urban and rural), instructor of the year, and this year, there are two special recognition awards also being presented.
A call for nominations, in which employers, instructors and journeypersons are nominated by their colleagues, students or community members, ran throughout the fall, resulting in 35 nominees.
“Jobs and economic development are at the centre of our government’s plan for a better Manitoba, and giving people the ability to gain workplace experience and technical knowledge in trades creates pathways to well-paid, meaningful careers,” said Wishart. “I would like to thank all the employers, journeypersons and instructors that provide apprentices with the knowledge and experience needed to succeed.”
Approximately 300 industry and education representatives are expected to attend tonight’s ceremony, the minister noted, adding the keynote speaker tonight will be Brian Lowes, president and general manager of Mercedes Benz Winnipeg.
The award recipients and photos will be posted on Apprenticeship Manitoba’s website following the ceremony at www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/generalinfo/events/index.html.
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