October 27, 2011 – Con’s Electric Company Ltd. of Timmins, Ont., is one of four companies being recognized by the provincial government for its “outstanding contribution to training the next generation of skilled workers.” The annual Minister’s Awards for Apprenticeship Training celebrate employers that show leadership in training apprentices, support the apprenticeship training system, and promote careers in skilled trades.

Con’s Electric Company has been in business since 1985, and has trained more than 50 apprentices, it says. It has four construction and maintenance electrician apprentices, and hires and trains co-op students.

The winners were selected from 16 nominees by a panel of apprenticeship experts from different sectors, including labour organizations, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and community colleges.

According to the Ontario government, there are more than 120,000 apprentices learning a skilled trade today – double the number from 2002-2003. Since these awards began in 2002, more than 200 employers have been nominated.