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Trades

Skills Canada - Ontario Celebrates Skilled Trades

Waterloo - Skills Canada - Ontario Annual Celebration Gala “Building Futures One Dream at a Time.” This event raises money to cover the travel costs of Ontario students advancing from the Ontario Technologi- cal Skills Competition to the Canadian Skills Competition.

This night also features the induction ceremony of six leaders in business and education to the Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame.

St. George Hall, Waterloo Friday, March 4th, 6:00 p.m. — Midnight

The Skilled Trades and Technologies get there due at a gala celebration featuring live music (including renowned tenor Peter McCutcheon), as well as silent and live auctions, dancing, and a unique “Take the Cake” event. The highlight of the evening is the induction of six educators and business leaders to the Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame, named in honour of the late founder and CEO of ATS Automation Tooling Systems.

We invite you to come out to St. George Hall this Friday and share this exciting event with your audience! Please note best times:

5:00—6:00 p.m.: pre-reception for the honourees 8:45 p.m.: award ceremony

2011 Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame Inductees

Aldo Cianfrini, Education Officer,Min. of Education
Aldo Cianfrini started his career path as a carpenter. He later became a secondary school teacher, then curriculum consultant, before taking the post of CEO for the Centre for Skills Development. A Founding Director of the Halton Learning Foundation, Mr. Cianfrini became an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education in 2005. He is one of those rare individuals who can imagine what could be and then makes it happen. He works selflessly to promote skills and technology because he believes in their importance to the individual, the province, and to the country.

Clarke Hurley, Training Director, IBEW Local 105
Mr. Hurley has been the training director of IBEW Local 105 Hamilton for over ten years. He currently manages and oversees the instruction of 193 apprentices. He has mentored more than 1,000 individuals through their five-year apprenticeship program. Mr. Hurley spent countless hours over the years volunteering his time to assist scores of young men and women when they needed guidance and scholastic assistance. Some apprentices, unsure if they had the stamina and fortitude to continue on the road of apprenticeship, were renewed with confidence instilled in them by Clarke Hurley.

Ken Mercer, Professor, Mohawk College
Mr. Mercer, the recipient of the President’s Award of Excellence at Mohawk College in 2003, has been passing on his knowledge to hundreds of students for almost 30 years. His passion, patience and expertise in the trade of cabinetmaking are an inspiration to all. A graduate of Conestoga College’s Industrial Woodworking Program, he ran his own business for several years and received his teaching certificate in 1980. Mr. Mercer has been involved with Skills Canada – Ontario since its infancy in 1989 as a volunteer with the Cabinetmaking Contest at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition.

Kevin Graham, Consultant, District School Board of Niagara
Kevin Graham is the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Technology and the Dick Hopkins Award of Excellence in Technological Education. Under Mr. Graham’s direction, the District School Board of Niagara has expanded opportunities for its students in technological education through a combination of initiatives including Skills Event, Specialist High Skills Major Program, OYAP, Cooperative Education, Ambassadors for the Conservation of Energy and a variety of innovative partnerships.

Norm Fenton, Dean, Durham College
Recipient of the 2008 Colleges Ontario Distinguished Service Award, Mr. Fenton is an outstanding leader and mentor to students, faculty and staff. He is a champion of skilled trades and technology, constantly creating, developing and implementing new and exciting ways to attract students to the skills training fields. Most notably, Mr. Fenton was instrumental in establishing online learning at Durham College’s Whitby Campus, opening the opportunity for apprentices in Ontario’s remote northern communities.

Dr. Charles Craig, President and CEO, Craig Reading Assoc.
Dr. Craig holds a general welding certificate as well as degrees from UBC, Syracuse University, and a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University. His contribution to trades training in Ontario has been entirely focused on the success of the learner. This is evidenced in one of his publications for The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and Georgian College, “The Pathways,” geared to those entering high school. Dr. Craig’s work includes the development of apprenticeship programs for Georgian College, Women in Skilled Trades initiatives, and several projects overseas.