Students Receive Skilled Trades Scholarships 

Seventeen females and eight males will shortly receive cheques for $2005 each to be used toward their studies in a skilled trade.  The awards are the result of the Alberta Centennial Scholarship Program which has provided scholarships to every province and territory in Canada in commemoration of that province�s centennial. 

The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, decided that the 25 scholarships for this province would be used to support students in an entry-level apprenticeship program, with the majority of the scholarships (66 per cent) provided to female students. 

�This government is determined to support and promote women in skilled trades fields,� said Minister Burke.  �They are the untapped potential who can help address the skilled trades shortage throughout the province.  We know women can swing a hammer or wire a house, and if they need support to pursue their goals, we will do what we can to help them.  This is why I have directed the bulk of these scholarships be made available to female students, and also why the Department of Education recently hired a female program development officer.  This individual will provide support and guidance to students and apprentices pursuing their certification.� 

In addition, $200,000 in funding has been allocated to support an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to increase female participation in the electrical trade.  Along with post-secondary support for female apprentices, Minister Burke has set a goal to achieve a 50 per cent female participation rate in the new Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program at the high school level. 

The minister is also looking forward to the report of the Skills Task Force, which was established to develop an action plan to address the skilled trades shortage.  It is important that people considering post-secondary training understand the opportunities and advantages that a career in the skilled trades can offer, and the report will consider all aspects of skilled trades programming and labour market realities.  The task force is now in the final stages of its mandate and will be reporting to the Minister of Education in the near future.  

It is clear that the message is getting out that skilled trades are great career options. Janine Rice, one of the scholarship winners, said, �I found myself enjoying something that I never thought was available to me as a woman.  It is empowering to work in a hands-on environment and it is a whole new way to get my creative energy out.� 

Another recipient, Lory Evely, noted the opportunities that a career in skilled trades will offer her.  �The bottom line is that we basically want to become trained in an area that offers us a stable future, one that can pay the bills and give us some of the finer things in life, and we all deserve a shot at that.� 

Minister Burke encourages anyone with an interest in a skilled trades career to take that shot.  �These scholarship recipients understand the value in their chosen fields.  They understand the importance of commitment and dedication to a goal.  They know that a rewarding career awaits them upon graduation, and I have every confidence they will enjoy the greatest success in their chosen professions.� 

Letters providing details on the scholarships will be mailed to the recipients shortly.  More information on apprenticeship programming and the Alberta scholarships can be found at www.ed.gov.nl.ca/app, or by contacting industrial training regional offices in St. John�s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, or Happy Valley-Goose Bay. 

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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER 

 Alberta Centennial Scholarship Female Award Winners: 

Sonya Brothers (Long Harbour), College of the North Atlantic, Construction/Industrial Electrician Program 

Diana Butt (Bishop Falls), College of the North Atlantic, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Program 

Tracy Caravan (Corner Brook), Academy Canada, Carpenter Program 

Bobbi Collins (Mount Pearl), Academy Canada, Carpenter Program 

Lory Evely (Carbonear), Academy Canada, Welder Program 

Alicia Kavanagh (Carbonear), College of the North Atlantic, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Program 

Judy Kenway (Red Harbour), Centrac College, Construction/Industrial Electrician Program 

Charlene Michelin-Flowers, (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), College of the North Atlantic, Construction/Industrial Electrician Program 

Mary Monster (Creston), College of the North Atlantic, Industrial Instrumentation Mechanic Program 

Michelle Moore (Avondale), Carpenters Millwright College, Carpenter Program 

Beverly Noel (St. Anthony), College of the North Atlantic, Residential Electrician Program 

Morgaine Parnham (St. John�s), College of the North Atlantic, Welder Program 

Janine Rice (St. John�s), College of the North Atlantic, Welder Program 

Luanne Rose (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), College of the North Atlantic, Automotive Service Technician Program 

Amanda Shiwak (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), College of the North Atlantic, Welder Program 

Lori Spearing (St. Anthony), College of the North Atlantic, Residential Electrician Program 

Tonya Stanley (Clarenville), College of the North Atlantic, Steamfitter/Pipefitter Program 

Alberta Centennial Scholarship Male Award Winners: 

Ralph Carey (Witless Bay), Carpenters Millwrights College, Carpenter Program 

Steve Curtis (Paradise), College of the North Atlantic, Construction/Industrial Electrician Program 

Adam Freake (St. John�s), College of the North Atlantic, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Program 

Charles Green (Three Rock Cove), United Association Training Centre, Steamfitter/Pipefitter Program 

Andrew Hearn (Gander), Academy Canada, Welder Program 

Tony Montague (North West River), College of the North Atlantic, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Program 

Corey Noseworthy (Mount Pearl), Academy Canada, Construction/Industrial Electrician Program 

Travis Palliser (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), College of the North Atlantic, Welder Program