Twenty-five students in skilled trades programs throughout the province will find paying for their training a little easier this year. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, today announced the recipients of this year�s Alberta Centennial Scholarships. The minister recently presented a cheque to one of the recipients, Shirley Harris, a carpentry student at College of the North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

"We have placed a strong focus on helping students gain access to post-secondary education," said Minister Burke. "With an increasing demand for skilled trades workers in our province, we have chosen to use the Alberta Centennial Scholarships, each valued at $2,005, to assist those entering the skilled trades, and more specifically, females entering the trades. This is just one of many steps we have taken over the past several years to increase access to post-secondary training, to make the system more affordable and to help build our province�s labour market."

These steps include a freeze on tuition rates at a cost of $25 million over three years, with the Williams Government committing to maintain tuition rates at current levels. Last year, changes to the Student Loan Program, valued at over $14 million and now part of ongoing spending, were implemented to provide up-front, needs-based grants and to reduce the interest charged on student loans.

To help increase training opportunities in the skilled trades sector, the Williams Government has allocated $43.6 million in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology, programming, training and infrastructure. This funding has also contributed to the implementation of some recommendations of the Skills Task Force report, such as increasing the number of apprentices hired across the Provincial Government and increasing the number of females entering the skilled trades. Since 2004, the number of women registering for apprenticeship programs in non-traditional trades is up by 35 per cent and over the past two years, jobs have been created within government agencies for 60 apprentices.

"I would like to congratulate the most recent winners of the Alberta Centennial Scholarship and wish them well in their studies," said Minister Burke. "This is an exciting time in our province, with many opportunities on the horizon. Education is so important to our growth and prosperity and our investments are making us a leader on the national stage in the areas of affordability and accessibility, while providing outstanding programs."

The Alberta Centennial Scholarship is awarded to 17 female and eight male students entering their first year as a full-time student in a provincially-designated apprenticeship trade. Recipients are chosen based on academic performance, financial need and an essay.

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Media contact:

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

Vanessa Cooper, Carbonear, Carpenters Millwrights College (CMC), Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

Marjorie Mouland, Clarenville, CNA, Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Jennifer Coultas, St. John�s, CNA, Welder

Lisa Laurie, Paradise, CMC, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

Dara Burry, Torbay, Academy Canada, Welder

Erin Rowsell, Creston, Centrac College, Industrial/Construction Electrician

Melissa King, Seal Cove, CNA, Powerline Technician

Debbie Loveless, CBS, CNA, Industrial Instrument Mechanic

Caitlynn Ryan, CBS, Academy Canada, Carpentry

Shirley Harris, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, CNA, Carpentry

Danielle Hickey, Southern Harbour, CNA, Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Emma Thorne, Churchill Falls, CNA, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

Jessica Downey, Stephenville, College of the North Atlantic (CNA), Hairstylist

Nicole Clark, St. Bernard�s, Centrac College, Industrial/ Construction Electrician

Lorna Sheaves, Port aux Basques, CNA, Welder

Lynnann Cox, Goulds, Operating Engineers College, Mobile Crane

Wanda Pendergast, Arnold�s Cove, U.A. Training, Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Daniel Taylor, Harbor Breton, CNA, Powerline Technician

Eric Murphy, St. John�s, CNA, Welding

Shane Collins, St. John�s, CNA, Motor Vehicle Body Repairer

Jeremy Hamlyn, White Bay, CNA, Industrial Millwright

James Tracey, CBS, CNA, Industrial/Construction/Electrician

Richard Mitchell, Terrenceville, Centrac College, Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Ralph Marks, Fortune, Centrac College, Steamfitter/Pipefitter

David Brinston, Witless Bay, CNA, Steamfitter/Pipefitter