Members of the Conestoga community gathered virtually on November 26 for the 2020 Employer Recognition Awards. Co-hosted by Corporate Training, Alumni Engagement, and Co-operative Education, Career and Work-Integrated Learning, the event honoured Conestoga’s outstanding employer partners, mentors, clients, alumni and co-op students.
“Employers and partners across the communities we serve have shown their commitment to Conestoga through employing our graduates and co-op students, accessing Continuing Education and Corporate Training, participating in Program Advisory Committees and accessing employment services through our Career Centre,” said Paul Osborne, associate vice president, Marketing, Community Relations and Special Projects. “This awards ceremony is an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable experience our employers create for Conestoga students, graduates and clients, as well as the excellent work demonstrated by our students.”
The employer recognition awards are usually presented annually in March, but were postponed this year due to COVID-19.
“November is Canada Career Month where the importance of career development, creating access to career services and providing opportunities for individuals to find their preferred future are highlighted,” added Osbourne. “It seems very appropriate to move forward at this time to recognize some of the outstanding employers who make such a difference for Conestoga students, graduates and clients on their way towards successful careers and futures.”
This year’s awards ceremony included the addition of the new President's Employer of Distinction Award. Chosen by a nomination process, the recipient is an active partner of Conestoga who is engaged in one or more of the college’s Program Advisory Committees as well as with its Career Services programs. The organization selected must have a record of industry success and innovation as well as an engaging community presence and commitment to the betterment of society.
The first President’s Employer of Distinction Award was presented to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.
“We’re honoured to be recognized today with this award,” said TMMC president Frank Voss in a video address. “Thank you. However, we must admit that our relationship with Conestoga over the years has been very beneficial to us as well. As TMMC has grown and changed over the more than 30 years since our ground breaking in 1986, we’ve leaned on Conestoga for help and they’ve always been there for us - from recruiting to skills training to testing to fun learning.”
Awards were also presented in the following categories:
Co-operative Education Employer of Distinction Award
- Alectra Utilities
- Tigercat
- Vehikl
Career Centre Services Employer of Distinction Award
- Alley Cat Café
- Westmount Golf and Country Club
- Z Modular
Work-Integrated Learning Host Organization of Distinction Award
- Brigadoon Public School
- Queen Elizabeth Pubic School
- Rogers TV
- The Working Centre
Corporate Training Employer of Distinction Award
- C.R. Plastic Products
- Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) for Canada - Middlesex-Elgin
Alumni Engagement Employer of Distinction Award
- Ramp Inc.
Work-Integrated Learning and Co-operative Education Mentor of the Year Award
- Candice Weber - Student Coordinator, Grand River Hospital/Cambridge Memorial Hospital
- Amisha Prajapati - Health Informatics Technologist, Conestoga College
- Catherine Wieckowska - Vice President, Royal Distribution Canada
Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year Award
- Tia Retsinas - Educational Support, School of Community Service
Co-op Student of the Year Award
- Singithi Kandage - Computer Programmer/Analyst
- April Her - Bachelor of Business Administration - International Business Management
- Amanda Sipos - Bachelor of Applied Technology - Architecture - Project and Facility Management
- Mitchell Cook - Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science
- Claire Scott - Hospitality and Tourism Management