Newly certified journeypersons were honoured for their achievements at the 12th annual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony and Banquet hosted by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) on November 9.
Radville's Riley Schmidt received 2012 Outstanding New Journeyperson Award in the Rig Technician - Driller (Level Three) trade.
The awards recognize the 35 top achievers of nearly 1,700 journeypersons who were certified in 47 designated trades between June 30, 2011 and July 1, 2012.
"The skilled trades are key to growing Saskatchewan's economy," said Bill Boyd, Minister responsible for the SATCC. "I congratulate all of the newly certified journeypersons in Saskatchewan, and am pleased to recognize those who achieved a high level of success."
The awards also honour those providing outstanding contributions to the apprenticeship program. The George Pellerin Memorial Scholarship is be presented to the highest achieving journeyperson of all trades, and the Commission Board of Directors Scholarship to the highest achieving Aboriginal journeyperson. The inaugural Bruce Pearce Scholarship was awarded to a recipient who has completed a program at the Regina Trades and Skills Centre and entered into apprenticeship.
In addition, three apprentices who won a gold medal at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan competition, held in Regina in March, were honoured. Industry associations also recognized recipients of 17 awards.
"The apprenticeship system continues to grow, and employers are recognizing the dedication required to achieve journeyperson certification," SATCC Board Chair Garry Kot said. "The awards are a time to reflect on the journeypersons' time in the apprenticeship program and honour their outstanding achievements."
In 2011-12, there were 9,724 apprentices registered in Saskatchewan. This is a 43.4 per cent increase over the past five years. Part of this increase is due to the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program in 265 high schools throughout the province. Since the program started eight years ago, there are now 475 graduates of the SYA program registered with employers as apprentices, earning good wages as they complete the requirements for trade certification.
