On May 23, more than 200 awards valued at $241,000 were presented to students at Conestoga’s ninth annual Trades & Apprenticeship Awards Presentation at the Waterloo campus. The event recognizes outstanding student achievement in the motive power, construction and industrial trades.
More than 200 awards valued at $241,000 were presented to students at Conestoga’s ninth annual Trades & Apprenticeship Awards Presentation on May 23.
Julia Biedermann, executive dean, School of Engineering & IT, School of Trades & Apprenticeship, and Institute for Food Processing Technology, welcomed students, family members, donors, Program Advisory Committee members, community partners and members of the Conestoga community to the event.
Biedermann estimates that more than $1 million dollars has been distributed to students through the annual ceremony since 2010 thanks to the generosity of the many industry partners, associations and individuals who support it. It is believed to be the largest awards presentation of its kind in Canada.
Among the new awards presented his year were the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation, J.D. Walden Family Fund Scholarship Award; the Guido Gatto Memorial Award; the Altalink Evan Horkoff Memorial Endowed Award; and the Gregory Peltz Memorial Endowed Award.
Also new this year were the Weston Family Skilled Trades Scholarships which were awarded to 15 students. The scholarships have been structured to support students throughout the completion of their programs: recipients receive up to $4,000 from the scholarship program and will also receive tuition awards from Conestoga each academic year to assist with tuition costs.
“The variety of awards today recognize a range of accomplishments: academic excellence, overcoming adversity, overall improvement, outstanding leadership and health and safety,” said Suzanne Moyer, chair, Trades & Apprenticeship, during the presentation. “To all the students today, we want to say congratulations on your success.”
The event also included a keynote address from Jennifer Green who graduated from Conestoga in 2008 as a licensed Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Millwright with a Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification. Presented with Conestoga’s Alumni of Distinction award in 2013, she currently works with the Upper Grand District School Board as a maintenance planner/scheduler, but dedicates much of her time to advocating for the advancement of the trades and women in trades.
“My goals or your goals may not happen today, they may not happen tomorrow, but continue forward and they will happen,” said Green to the award winners. “Just reach a little further, push a little harder and inject yourself into opportunities that arise. Show that you are here; seize every opportunity that comes your way.”
Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of trades and apprenticeship training to serve industry needs and our growing community. Comprehensive programming includes a wide range of post-secondary trades programs that provide pathways to employment in skilled trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.
Visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship for more information and to view the list of award winners.