Two trades-people from Lacombe and one from Blackfalds recently received awards at the 21st Annual Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Awards, which happened on April 13th.
Trevor Ellens of Lacombe received the award for the Top Agricultural Equipment Technician, Wenley Gavins of Lacombe received the award for top apprentice in Crane and Hoisting - Wellhead Boom Operator and Kolten Ogle of Blackfalds received the award for the the top apprentice in Ironworker – Metal Building Systems Erector.
“We recognize top apprentices, top employers, top employers of indigenous apprentices, top instructors, top mentors and this year we had a special award to an individual that contributed above and beyond to the apprenticeship system in Alberta,” j’Amey Bevan, chair of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, said.
Seventy-two award are handed out between the different categories and over 350 attended the event to thank apprentices in Alberta.
Bevan said, “It is a great opportunity for us to shine a deserving spotlight on the hard work and dedication of our trades community”.
“As many people know, trades is the life blood of the province,” she said. “It affects so many people and having a strong apprenticeship system is very important to ensure we are taking the knowledge of people already in the trades and passing it down.”
Bevan said Alberta’s trade system is based on mentorship and 80 per cent of the knowledge transferred happens on the job.
“Things have been tough over the last couple years, so looking ahead and employing apprentices is the only way we can capture that knowledge from journey-people and pass it to the next generation. It ripples throughout our province,” she said.
There are currently over 50 different trades in Alberta, with many of them being red seal certified.
“It is a vast array of trades that affect everything including baking, horticulture, heavy mechanics, welders, pipefitters — it is very broad. There are several opportunities for people depending on what they enjoy and what they like to do,” Bevan said.
Bevan said mentorship was the main focus of this year’s awards.
“It is important we foster the next generation coming up and trades training enhances and expands our skills and encourages lifelong learning,” she said. “For us to evolve and have the vitality we have known in Alberta, trades are an essential part of that.”
She added, “Congratulations to them (the award winners). For the ones that could make it to the awards, it was wonderful meeting them.”