NORTHEAST — Northeast journeypeople and businesses were among those recognized at the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission's 2023 Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner.
The Nov. 3 event was held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina and hosted more than 400 people.
"Skilled tradespeople play a key role in Saskatchewan's growth," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "They deserve to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions to our province's apprenticeship and trade certification system. Congratulations to everyone being honoured tonight."
Jayden Borstmayer of Prairie River was honoured with the First Nations and Métis Scholarship. This award is presented to an individual who has self-declared to be Indigenous (First Nations or Métis) and has received the highest mark on their written journeyperson certification exam in the last fiscal year July 1, 2022 until June 30, 2023. Borstmayer received a $500 scholarship along with tickets to the dinner. Borstmayer saidh his future plans are to continue working in the trade and eventually work his way to farming full time.
Birch Hills Woodland Constructors received the Outstanding Employer award. This award recognizes employers for their efforts hiring and training apprentices. There are two categories – one for employers with more than 50 employees and one for employers with fewer than 50 employees. Employers nominated must be registered with the SATCC and the award determines that the employer: demonstrates strong support for apprenticeship training; works to support apprentices’ success in the trades; and creates an excellent work environment. Winners are selected by a committee of industry representatives.
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies gives out the Joint Training committee journeypersons award. It’s awarded annually to acknowledge and celebrate the successful certification of an Indigenous journeyperson in their chosen trade. Award winners have demonstrated excellence through hard work, dedication, and overcoming adversity. Brandon Bear of Muskoday First Nation received this award for carpentry.
Thirty journeypersons who achieved the highest mark on their trade's certification exams between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, are receiving the Outstanding New Journeyperson award. Among these 30 journeypersons from the Northeast were:
- Avrom Ries of Humboldt for carpentry, and
- Blaise Assie of St. Brieux for steamfitting/pipefitting.
Additional awards issued by the SATCC include the Outstanding Instructor and Employer awards, and the Apprenticeship Lifetime Achievement Award. Industry partners, including training providers, industry associations, employers and unions, also issue their own scholarships and awards recognizing the achievements of apprentices and journeypersons.
"The Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) Perseverance Award celebrates one Métis apprentice whose self-determination and accomplishments exemplify the true meaning of Métis resilience," GDI Training and Employment Director Audrey Hestand said. "The Institute is proud to be a part of the growing number of Indigenous apprentices and journeypersons in this province; it is a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment to the success of our people."
"On behalf of the SATCC and the Commission Board of Directors, congratulations to this year's award winners," SATCC Board Chair Jeff Sweet said. "Your skills and knowledge keep the water flowing, the buildings standing and the lights on. The hard work and dedication to excellence demonstrated by skilled tradespeople are an essential part of Saskatchewan's past and future success."
