On May 18th, Conestoga’s School of Trades & Apprenticeship hosted its second annual Awards Presentation and Barbeque in the Roofing Centre at the Waterloo Campus. More than 250 guests including business owners, industry professionals, faculty and family members watched as Greg White and Stephen Speers, chairs of the School, presented 82 awards valued at more than $42,000 in total to students in motive power, construction and industrial programs.
Guests enjoyed a barbecue after the awards presentation that included delicious desserts prepared by Conestoga’s Cook 2 apprentices and Cook 1 OYAP students. Thanks go to Altruck International for providing a Dump Truck and Toromont CAT for providing a Tractor Loader Backhoe for display. Thanks also to the Automotive Faculty from the Guelph Campus for bringing the Conestoga Mustang.
Congratulations to the many award recipients for their achievements this past year and thank you to the industry partners and donors for their contributions to the students’ success. Special thanks to all of the Trades & Apprenticeship faculty and staff for their support in making this event such a great success.
The School of Trades & Apprenticeship is the centre of apprenticeship and skills training in Canada’s Technology Triangle. Conestoga provides a comprehensive array of programs in Construction, Electrical, Metal Cutting, Industrial Maintenance, Welding & Fabricating, Motive Power and Cabinet Making in response to the needs of industry, and the growth in our local economy.
Motive Power Awards
Top Student - Academic Award,  Motive Power Fundamentals - Automotive Service (Co-op)
Donor:Â Racetronix/Â NAPA
Recipient: Kelly Fuller
Top Student - Practical Award,  Motive Power Fundamentals - Automotive Service (Co-op)
Donor:Â Racetronix/Â NAPA
Recipient: Gurpreet Parmar
Most Improved Student Award,  Motive Power Fundamentals - Automotive Service (Co-op)
Donor:Â Racetronix/Â NAPA
Recipient: Jasper ChiltonÂ
ATSSA Top Student Award,  Motive Power Fundamentals - Truck and Coach (Co-op)
Donor: Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents Association (K-W)Â
Recipient: Cris Farkas
Truck and Coach Consortium Award,  Motive Power Fundamentals - Truck and Coach (Co-op)
Donor: Challenger Motor Freight and Highway Sterling Western Star
Recipient: Randall Ropp
Altruck Scholarship, Motive Power Fundamentals - Truck and Coach (Co-op)Â
Donor: Altruck International Truck CentresÂ
Recipient: Dave BowmanÂ
Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches Inc. Award, Motive Power Fundamentals - Truck and Coach (Co-op) Â
Donor: Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches Inc.Â
Recipient: Benjamin BelecÂ
Top Student - Academic Award, Motive Power Fundamentals  Â
Donor: Caterpillar Â
Recipient: Dan FalkinerÂ
Top Student - Practical Award, Motive Power Fundamentals  Â
Donor:Â NAPAÂ Â
Recipient: Bradley AllenÂ
Most Improved Student Award, Motive Power Fundamentals
 Â
Donor:Â AnonymousÂ
Recipient: Anthony BarronÂ
Steed and Evans Limited Graduating Scholarship, Heavy Equipment TechniquesÂ
Donor: Steed and Evans LimitedÂ
Recipient: Nils WellingtonÂ
Toromont Safe Student Award,  Heavy Equipment TechniquesÂ
Donor: Toromont CATÂ
Recipient: Ian TownesÂ
Carlos Camilo Memorial Safety Award, Heavy Equipment Techniques
Donor: Henry and Tony Camilo Â
Recipient: Stefan JerseÂ
Construction Awards
Carlos Camilo Memorial Safety Award, Heavy Equipment OperatorÂ
Donor: Henry and Tony CamiloÂ
Recipient: Ian Dobie Â
Gerhard (Dick) Kappeler Endowed Bursary, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship
Donor: Kappeler Masonry CorporationÂ
Recipient: Petro Prymak Â
CCMPA Award, Masonry Fundamentals
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers' AssociationÂ
Recipient: Kevin Grattan Â
CCMPA Award, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship, Level 1
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipient: Andrew Balcerek Â
CCMPA Award, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship, Level 1
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipient: Trent Smith Â
CCMPA Award, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship, Level 2Â
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipient: Jason BakerÂ
CCMPA Award, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship, Level 2Â
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipient: Jeremy DickÂ
CCMPA Award, Brick and Stone Mason Apprenticeship, Level 3Â
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipient: Trevor BrightÂ
Holcim Canada Entrance Scholarship, Construction Techniques, Brick and Stone Mason
Donor: Holcim CanadaÂ
Recipient: Jennifer NeilÂ
Holcim Canada Entrance Scholarship, Construction Techniques, Brick and Stone MasonÂ
Donor: Holcim CanadaÂ
Recipient: Graeme WalkerÂ
Menno S. Martin Contractor Limited Bursary, Renovation Technician
Donor: Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd.Â
Recipient: Nathan PresleyÂ
Home Hardware Stores Limited Scholarship, Renovation TechnicianÂ
Donor: Home Hardware Stores LimitedÂ
Recipient: Richard EnthammerÂ
Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association Award, Renovation Technician
Donor: Waterloo Region Home Builders AssociationÂ
Recipient: Thomas GasselleÂ
Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd. Renovation Technician Academic Grant, Renovation TechnicianÂ
Donor: Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd. Â
Recipient: Steven McCreaÂ
RONA Achievement Award, Women in Skilled TradesÂ
Donor:Â RONAÂ Â
Recipient: Megan BlakeÂ
RONA Achievement Award, Women in Skilled TradesÂ
Donor:Â RONAÂ Â
Recipient: Jennifer BerkhuizenÂ
Conestoga Heavy Construction Association Award - Best Overall Student, HEO
Donor: Conestoga Heavy Construction AssociationÂ
Recipient: Chris Wright
Conestoga Heavy Construction Association Award - Best Overall Operator, HEOÂ
Donor: Conestoga Heavy Construction AssociationÂ
Recipient: Jeffrey StephensÂ
Conestoga Heavy Construction Association Award - Most Improved Through Perseverance, HEOÂ
Donor: Conestoga Heavy Construction AssociationÂ
Recipient: Gregory FletcherÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 1Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Marc DesiletsÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 1Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Kurtis BannonÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 1Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Steve BurnettÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 2Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: John MathesonÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 2
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Jacob TofflemireÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 2Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Peter FritschÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Level 3Â
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Ken MoynihanÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Pre-Apprenticeship PlumberÂ
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Trevor BoudreauÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Scholarship, Mechanical Techniques - Plumbing
Donor: Canadian Institute of Plumbing and HeatingÂ
Recipient: Shayne RiepertÂ
Additional prizes provided by HiltiÂ
J.D. Walden Student Achievement Award, Roofer Apprenticeship, Level 1Â
Donor: J.D. Walden FundÂ
Recipient: John ContiniÂ
J.D. Walden Scholarship, Roofer Apprenticeship, Level 1Â
Donor: J.D. Walden FundÂ
Recipient: Robert Bembridge
Industrial Awards
Chair’s Cup Golf Tournament AwardÂ
Donor: the Chair’s Cup Golf Tournament Proceeds Â
Recipient: Travers Thompson, Electrical Technician - IndustrialÂ
Academic Excellence Award for Top Marks, Electrical Technician - Industrial/Industrial (Co-op)Â
Donor: Electrical Technician Faculty Â
Recipient: Kyle Trommelen Â
Faculty Award for Dedication and Leadership, Electrical Technician - Industrial/Industrial (Co-op)Â
Donor: Electrical Technician Faculty Â
Recipient: Kyle Barber Â
Faculty Award for Dedication and Leadership, Electrical Technician - Industrial/Industrial (Co-op)
Donor: Electrical Technician Faculty Â
Recipient: Paulo Pinto
Machining Faculty Award, First Place Student, MT - Tool and Die/Tool Maker (Co-op) Â
Donor: Machining FacultyÂ
Recipient: Micah Maffett Â
Machining Faculty Award, First Place Student, MT - General Machinist (Co-op)
Donor: Machining FacultyÂ
Recipient: Geoffrey BoyerÂ
SOWA Tool and Machine AwardsÂ
Donor: SOWA Tool and MachineÂ
Program: General Machinist Apprenticeship  Â
Recipient: Don Larocque    Â
Program: General Machinist ApprenticeshipÂ
Recipient: Michael Niesner   Â
Program: Tool and Die Maker Apprenticeship
Recipient: James GiesÂ
Program: Tool and Die Maker ApprenticeshipÂ
Recipient: John YetmanÂ
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Millwright PAC - Top Student (Academic) Award, IMM
Donors: Bullet Trade Services, Elite Machine and Gear Inc., Flo Components Limited, Guelph Tool Inc., Process Group and Roberts Onsite Â
Recipient: Eric TaylorÂ
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Millwright PAC - Student Mentorship Award, IMMÂ
Donors: Bullet Trade Services, Elite Machine and Gear Inc., Flo Components Limited, Guelph Tool Inc., Process Group and Roberts Onsite Â
Recipient: Russell FerrieÂ
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Millwright PAC - Top Student (Academic) Award , Mechanical Techniques - Millwright (Co-op)
Donors: Bullet Trade Services, Elite Machine and Gear Inc., Flo Components Limited, Guelph Tool Inc., Process Group and Roberts Onsite Â
Recipients: John Verwolf and Andrew PettitÂ
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic - Millwright PAC Â
Level 3 Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprentice - Top Student (Academic) Award , Millwright Apprenticeship, Level 3
Donors: Bullet Trade Services, Elite Machine and Gear Inc., Flo Components Limited, Guelph Tool Inc., Process Group and Roberts Onsite Â
Recipient: James KellyÂ
Cambridge Materials Testing Scholarship, MET - Welding and RoboticsÂ
Donor: Cambridge Materials Testing Ltd.Â
Recipient: Richard BrzostowskiÂ
Linde Awards, Welding Techniques/Welder FitterÂ
Donor:Â LindeÂ
Recipients: Dan Whitehead and Ian LambÂ
Canadian Welding Association Awards, Welder Fitter/Welding Engineering Technician Â
Donor: Canadian Welding Association, Golden Triangle ChapterÂ
Recipients: Ian Lamb and Jesse LimburgÂ
Outstanding Achievement Award in Welding, Welding Techniques
Donor: Laura PotjeÂ
Recipients: Natasha O’Neil and Kellsey WhitfieldÂ
External Awards
the R.M. Gooderham Bursary Â
Donor: CWB Group Â
Recipients: Colin Burnett, Andrew Newman and Sam ShawÂ
ESAB Post-Secondary Scholarship Award Â
Donor:Â ESABÂ Â
Recipient: Sam Shaw
Entrance Bursaries
Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ Association  Masonry Fundamentals
Donor: Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers’ AssociationÂ
Recipients: Dustin Patkai, Dave Barraclough, Erik Van Esch, William Prince, Ryan Nagle, Scott Graham, SamuelÂ
Reimann, Jihan Kalo and Paul WilkesÂ
Gerrie Electric Supply Academic Grant, Electrical Technician - Industrial/Industrial (Co-op)Â
Donor: Gerrie Electric SupplyÂ
Recipients: Brent Parant and Brad SpringallÂ
Gerrie Electric Supply / Waterloo Region District School Board Scholarship, Electrical Technician - Industrial/Industrial (Co-op)
Donor: Gerrie Electric SupplyÂ
Recipients: Jarrett Halmo and Brad Ernst