Conestoga’s outstanding employer partners, mentors, clients, alumni and co-op students were honoured during the 2021 Employer Recognition Awards held virtually March 25.
Co-hosted by Corporate Training; Alumni Engagement; the Conestoga Career Centre; and Co-operative Education, Career and Work-Integrated Learning, the event provides an opportunity during National Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning month to acknowledge the invaluable experiences our employers create for Conestoga students, graduates and clients.
“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. “While we’re still not able to meet in person, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and contributions you have made during the 2020 academic year, particularly during these unprecedented times. The pivotal role our employers, students and mentors have played during the pandemic has been crucial in providing ongoing support to our community.”
This year’s President's Employer of Distinction award was presented to Linamar Corporation. The organization has partnered with Conestoga for more than 15 years on a number of programs including Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Mechanical Millwright, Electrical Technician and Human Resources. The company has hired more than 650 co-op students since 2006 and has provided over 30 work-integrated learning placements as well as ongoing opportunities for Conestoga graduates.
During the presentation, Recreation and Leisure Services student Rebekah Derle was presented with the 2020 Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year Award from Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning Ontario. The award recognizes one college student and one university student in Ontario who have showcased exceptional job accomplishment, extra-curricular involvement, academic achievement and a strong contribution to work-integrated learning.
All 2021 award recipients:
President’s Employer Award of Distinction
- Linamar Corporation
Corporate Training Award
- ParaMed Home Health Care Services
Co-operative Education Awards
- Prime Automation Inc.
- Sera4
- Tri-Mach Group Inc.
Co-op Mentor Awards
- Glen Courtis - Bruce Power
- Margie McLean - KW Habilitation & The Children and Youth Planning Table
Conestoga Career Centre Awards
- The Local Community Food Centre (Stratford)
- Sheridan Nurseries
- Dana Shortt Gourmet & Gifts
Work-Integrated Learning - Host Organization of Distinction Awards
- London Health Sciences Centre
- Schlegel Villages
- Southwestern Public Health
Work-Integrated Learning Mentor Award
- Deb Bester - Grand River Hospital
Alumni Employer of Distinction Award
- Magna Karmax
Co-op Students of the Year
- Pamela Breznick, Bachelor of Applied Health Information Scienc
- Kurtis Gobbi, Electro Mechanical and Automation Maintenance
- Brandon Harkness, Bachelor of Engineering - Electronic Systems Engineering
- Adam Lainey, Bachelor of Business Administration - International Business Management
- Sofiya Raiyyani, Global Hospitality Management
- Danica Weiler, Software Engineering Technology
WIL Students of the Year
- Izhar Malakhail, Teaching English as a Second Language
- Victoria Siopiolosz, Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science
- Dakota Yetman, Public Relations
Education at Work Ontario College Student of the Year Award
- Rebekah Derle, Recreation and Leisure Services