SASKATOON — The end of 2024 was a bright moment for apprentices who received scholarships at the Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner, organized by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) in December. This event celebrates the achievements of learners from across the province.
This year, four Automotive Service Technician (AST) apprentices who trained at Saskatchewan Polytech were recognized at the annual celebration.
“Congratulations to our AST students on receiving these SATCC scholarships,” says Lorne Phillips, the Automotive Service Technician program head at Saskatoon campus.
“Lincoln, Tanner, Kurtis and Brandon achieved these awards through their dedication and hard work. We measure our program’s success by the success of our students and these SATCC awards make us proud of both our students and program.”
Phillips adds that AST instructors stay current with the latest advancements in automotive technology. This continuous learning allows them to share up-to-date knowledge with their students. “We also update and modify courses to keep them current with changes in the industry,” shares Phillips.
Lincoln Meunier of Lloydminster was proud to receive two awards at the event, Outstanding New Journeyperson and the George Pellerin Memorial Scholarship. The awards demonstrated his progress in the trades, as the George Pellerin Memorial Scholarship is presented to the highest achieving journeyperson of all trades, not just Automotive Service Technician.
“I am honoured and humbled to have received these scholarships,” he says. “To me, the scholarship represents a way to recognize exceptional grades and effort among apprentices but doesn't necessarily mean you are the best in your field. Many factors play into someone's success and good grades is just one of them.”
Meunier has this advice for other learners, “Have fun learning, don't be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions, and respect the knowledge that you are being offered by instructors.”
The Bruce Pearce Scholarship is awarded to a newly certified journeyperson who completed the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program and also achieved the highest mark on the journeyperson exam. Recipient Tanner Gartner of North Battleford celebrated the friendships and instructors he met during training at Sask Polytech in Saskatoon.
“I enjoyed my time on campus, the instructors are awesome people and all the apprentices in my class were great. Sask Polytech is very well equipped, and there are tons of opportunities to learn,” he says. “I was pretty pumped when I received the scholarship, I wasn’t expecting it. I knew I had good grades, and this is a great motivator to keep working and to keep learning in this trade.”
Kurtis Perschke received the Scholarship for Journeypersons with Disabilities. The Warman resident shares that his training at Sask Polytech with the Automotive Service Technician certificate and throughout his apprenticeship have been useful in more than just his professional career.
“While at Sask Polytech I had the opportunity to fix my own vehicle while learning which was great,” he laughs. “The award was a surprise. It’s also self-affirming. I know I’m on the right path.”
Brandon Vallee of Prince Albert rounded out the recipients, earning the First Nations and Métis Scholarship from the SATCC. Vallee shares, “My experience at Sask Polytech was awesome, they have intelligent and kind instructors. This scholarship means a lot to me. It is a recognition of all the time and hard work I put in over the years training on campus and on the job.”
Vallee adds, “I was surprised I won, there are so many bright apprentices I had the pleasure of learning with. My advice to others is it's okay to break stuff and make mistakes because it's all part of the process that makes you a better technician and a better person. Get good before you get fast!”
In addition to the four Automotive Service Technician awards, Gillian Pickup, a Welder apprentice from Yorkton who is training at Sask Polytech, received the Wendy Davis Memorial Scholarship.
"Congratulations to all the apprentices at Sask Polytech who have received SATCC awards," says Brenda Suru, dean of the Faculty of Technology and Skilled Trades. "Your dedication, hard work and commitment to your training and trade have truly paid off. Special congratulations to the AST program for having four apprentices recognized at the awards ceremony. This achievement is a testament to our faculty members' dedication to our learners."
“We are proud to honour and recognize the individuals who demonstrate excellence in their skilled trade,” SATCC CEO Jeff Ritter says. “Their contributions are key drivers to building and strengthening Saskatchewan's future.”
The SATCC administers the apprenticeship and trade certification system in Saskatchewan. Apprenticeship is a post-secondary education pathway in which 85 per cent of the learning happens on the job. The other 15 per cent happens in a classroom setting and is referred to as technical training. Institutions such as Sask Polytech are contracted by the SATCC to provide apprenticeship technical training across the province. Sask Polytech is the SATCC’s largest training provider. Learn more at saskapprenticeship.ca.
— Submitted by Saskatchewan Polytech Media Relations
