Alberta honours best apprentices, employers, instructors

Industry, government and stakeholders are paying tribute to Alberta’s top apprentices, instructors and employers. The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board has named the 2010 recipients of its annual awards, which recognize excellence in the trades.

“The individuals being honoured with these awards are the best of the best and will help keep Alberta’s economy moving forward,” said Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Greg Weadick. “Trades are an integral part of our economic recovery and these awards celebrate the excellence and dedication of the apprentices and the many people who support them.”

Nearly 70 recipients received awards in the categories of top apprentice, top employer, top employer of aboriginal apprentices, top instructor and chairman’s awards of excellence.

The winners of the Top Employer Award have a long history of training apprentices, providing an excellent training environment and allowing apprentices to experience most areas of their trade. And the same goes for the winners of the Top Employer of Aboriginal Apprentices Award, with an increased focus on hiring apprentices from Aboriginal communities.

“We take great pride in celebrating the accomplishments of Alberta’s apprentices, employers and instructors,” said Ray Massey, chair of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. “This annual recognition program helps foster strong role models and enhances and demonstrates the best practices of our entire industry.”

In Alberta, about 60,000 apprentices participate in the apprenticeship and industry training system. For the complete list of the 59 top apprentice award winners, visit www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca.