October 4, 2013 – Tonight, Saskatchewan celebrates success in the skilled trades at the 13th annual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony and Banquet, hosted by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) at the Conexus Arts Centre.

Congratulations to powerline technician Shawn Ethier (Prince Albert) and electrician Blair Knowlton (Warman) for being listed among the Outstanding New Journeypersons for 2012/13. Knowlton also received the George Pellerin Memorial Scholarship.

Electrician Sean Hare (Saskatoon) snagged a Skills Canada Saskatchewan award, while a Merit Educational Bursary (sponsored by the Merit Contractors Association) went to electrician Peter Maier (Regina).

The Saskatoon Electrical Contractors Association also recognized electrician Blair Knowlton (Warman) with an award, as well as Saskatoon’s Jonathan Pelletier, electrician.

“The awards event celebrates what the apprenticeship and certification system is all about,” said Garry Kot, SATCC chair. “It’s about the journey through apprenticeship to certification, and the entire support network that makes the journey possible.”

The awards will recognize the 34 top achievers of 1664 journeypersons who were certified in 47 designated trades, and the three top achievers of those who were certified in 23 subtrades between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013.

“Apprenticeship is critical to the development of local talent to work in the skilled trades in Saskatchewan,” said the minister responsible for SATCC, Bill Boyd. “Congratulations to all of the newly certified journeypersons in Saskatchewan for your accomplishments, and thank you to those who support them.”