Local business receives Rural Employer of the Year award from Apprenticeship Manitoba

Apprenticeship Manitoba and the Apprenticeship and Certification Board hosted the 12th annual Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction last night at the RBC Convention Centre, where Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen helped announce exceptional employers, journeypersons and instructors.

“We want to celebrate some of the exceptional tradespeople and the contributions they make to develop Manitoba’s skilled workforce,” said Goertzen.  “Employers, journeypersons and instructors all play an important role in the ongoing success of the province’s apprenticeship system, which supports our economic prosperity.”

The 2018 Awards of Distinction were presented in the following categories:
•   employer of the year
­    – rural – Forman Honda (automotive service technician)
­    – urban – PCL Construction (carpenter)
­    – internationally experienced tradespersons – Bison Transport (truck and transport mechanic)
•   journeyperson of the year
­    – urban – Carl Gleich (carpenter)
­    – rural – Riley Chumola (welder)
•   instructor of the year
­    – Gary van der Zweep, Red River College (aircraft maintenance journeyperson).

A call for nominations this fall resulted in 32 nominees from colleagues, apprentices and community members.  A selection committee of Apprenticeship and Certification board members and Apprenticeship Manitoba staff chose the recipients.

Award recipients and photos will be posted on Apprenticeship Manitoba’s website:
www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/generalinfo/events/index.html.

The minister noted the week of Nov. 5 is Apprenticeship Recognition Week in Manitoba, which highlights the contribution of skilled tradespeople, the role of the apprenticeship system and the importance of a highly skilled workforce.