New apprenticeship board appointed

Joan Burke, Minister of Education, announced today the appointment of 11 new members and two re-appointments to the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board (PACB).

"Budget 2006 clearly defines government�s determination to support skilled trades education and employment opportunities," said Minister Burke. "We are strengthening our high school programming, we are investing millions for apprenticeship training at College of the North Atlantic and we have established a task force to ensure appropriate training exists to meet industry needs. The new Apprenticeship and Certification Board will play an important role in supporting skilled trades programming."

The PACB advises the Minister of Education on the training and certification of apprenticeable trades, approves curriculum and oversees accreditation of programs. The current board was selected after a call for nominations and significant input from industry, unions and associations. Rex Cotter, journeyperson and former instructor with College of the North Atlantic, has been named chair of the board. Together with the other members, the new board has extensive knowledge, interest and experience in apprenticeship programs.

"I am delighted with the range of talent and experience on the new board. Strong representation is needed on the PACB as apprenticeship and skills training are significant issues for this government. I am confident this board will be ready to tackle the challenges facing skilled trades programming and are prepared to represent the best interests of both students and the trades industry," said the minister.

The new PACB consists of 11 new appointments and two re-appointments. All appointments to the board are for a three-year term, with members to serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

Rex Cotter resides in Carbonear and has worked as both a tradesperson and as a trades instructor with College of the North Atlantic. Mr. Cotter has extensive knowledge of energy conservation, occupational health and training issues and the Newfoundland and Labrador home building industry. He holds inter-provincial journeyperson certifications as an oil burner mechanic and sheet metal worker. He also holds certificates in vocational and adult education, as well as a diploma in vocational education from Memorial University.

Rhonda Day lives in St. John�s and is the chief executive officer/R-2000 regional manager of the Canadian Homebuilders Association � Newfoundland and Labrador. Prior to that, she worked with the HTL Group of Companies in St. John�s. She has experience in business management, program planning, marketing and public relations, and holds a diploma from Lawrence College in St. John�s.

David Murphy resides in Topsail and is the owner/operator of Schooner Sailing Adventures Ltd. He is past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber of Commerce and has varied experience as a conference facilitator, meeting chair and project coordinator. Mr. Murphy has a B.A. from Sir George Williams University in Montreal and a Certificate of Education from Memorial University. Mr. Murphy also spent 25 years as an educator with the Roman Catholic School Board.

Melissa Young calls Corner Brook home and is the general manager of Humber Motors Ford. She has considerable experience in business planning and policy development. Ms. Young is a director for the Humber Community Development Corporation and a past director of the Corner Brook Chamber of Commerce. She holds a B.B.A. from Acadia University and a M.B.A. from Dalhousie University.

Robin Bartlett resides in St. John�s and is the general manager of MERIT Contractors� Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her work experience includes marketing, sales and public relations. Ms. Bartlett is a former educator with a B.A. and B.Ed. from Memorial University, as well as a Diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College in Ottawa.

George Kean resides in Labrador City and is the president of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 5795 in Labrador City. Since first elected in 1984, he has been elected to the executive of the Steelworkers Union for five consecutive terms and has considerable experience in labour relations and dispute resolution. He is an alternate with the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board and is a member of the province�s Strategic Partnership Committee. Mr. Kean holds an inter-provincial journeypersons certificate as a millwright.

Ann Geehan lives in Portugal Cove-St. Phillip�s and is the president of the Local Union 2330 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). This local has 900 members of which only six are female. She is an affiliate vice-president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and is a member of the Women in Resource Development Committee.

Gus Doyle resides in Conception Bay South and is an executive of the Carpenters Union, Local 579. He has significant experience in developing and delivering policies and programs for the Carpenters Union�s 2000 members. He is also an executive member with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and has completed labour relations and industrial relations programs through Memorial University. Mr. Doyle has sixteen years experience in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of the construction industry and holds a provincial journeypersons certificate in carpentry.

Richard Kelly lives in Glovertown and had been employed by the phosphorous plant in Long Harbour for 29 years. He has a strong background in labour relations having served with his union in varying capacities for fifteen years and successfully negotiated for collective bargaining agreements for his workers. Mr. Kelly has completed several courses through the Canadian Labour Congress including collective bargaining, grievance procedure, arbitration and occupational health and safety.

Ewen Wheeler resides in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and has worked in planning, economic research and inter-community relations. He was a development officer with Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Mr. Wheeler is a graduate of Memorial University and the Herzing Institute of Toronto.

Janette Foley calls St. John�s home and is a writer and educator. She is education coordinator with the Women in Resource Devlopment Committee. She has extensive experience in developing and teaching post-secondary programming, particularly for Aboriginals. She is a member of the Educational Resource Development Committee, the St. John�s International Women�s Film, and Video Festival Planning Committee. Ms. Foley holds a B.A., B.Ed. from Memorial University.

Paula Flood resides in Whitbourne and, for two years, was the regional facilitator for the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs. Prior to that, she was the owner/operator of the Carriage House Inn. She has a great deal of experience in developing business plans and as a motivational speaker. Ms. Flood has a Clerk Accountant Certificate and a Licensed Practical Nurse Diploma.

Michelle Brazil is the industry outreach coordinator with the Women in Resource Development Committee. She has worked with national, provincial, and local organizations in the areas of community economic development, labour market and training issues and policy/organizational development. Ms. Brazil has a B.A.(Political Science, Russian Studies) from Memorial University supplemented by further training in computer studies.

2006 04 13                                        4:20 p.m.