June 11, 2013

High school students looking to go into the skilled trades or technologies are getting a financial boost from St. Clair College in Windsor: the college is offering scholarships to each grade 11 and 12 high school student who competed in the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo, Ont., from May 6-8.

The announcement was made at the competition, an annual event hosted by Skills Canada – Ontario. With contests such as brick masonry, graphic design and culinary, more than 1,900 secondary and post-secondary students compete for the chance at a gold medal; some contestants are also awarded with monetary awards and the opportunity to move on to the national competition. The three-day event encourages youth to enter into the skilled trades; a job market that is expected to face dire shortages within the next 10 years.

“As a gold sponsor of Skills Canada – Ontario, we encourage our students to participate in this important competition. We are committed to furthering the wide variety of pathways available for students who are looking for challenging and rewarding careers in the trades,” says Dr. John Strasser, president of the school.

Each high school competitor is entitled to $500 in their first semester of study, and an additional $500 in their second semester of study. The scholarship will be honoured for two years from the date it is issued.

St. Clair College provides high quality, hands-on education to more than 8,000 full time students on four campuses in Windsor and Chatham-Kent. Since 2000, St. Clair College students have earned 31 provincial gold medals and four national gold medals in Skills Canada competitions.

For more information, please contact Ann Hetherington, Director of Marketing at St. Clair College at 519-972-2775 or by email at ahetherington@stclaircollege.ca

New College Will Support Tradespeople, Industry and Protect Consumers
TORONTO, April 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Master Mechanic, an industry leader in the automotive service sector, is throwing its support behind the new Ontario College of Trades. Master Mechanic, Professional Auto Service, operates 39 automotive repair service centres across southern Ontario, employing approximately 155 Automotive Service Technicians (310S) and 310S apprentices.
"The sooner we weed out the unqualified, unprofessional, and undereducated individuals operating and competing against us, the better. The College will help us do this and strengthen consumer confidence in our industry.  That's just good business for all of us," says Jamie Holmes, Vice President of Master Mechanic.
Master Mechanic supports the College, a system of self-regulation that is responsive to industry needs and does not burden taxpayers. "There is a long list of self-regulating professions in Ontario, and we reject the opponents' perception of trade work as a 'second-class job' and the implication that tradespeople should not be able to self-regulate, says Holmes."
The Ontario College of Trades is a new industry body similar to the structures in place for teachers, nurses, travel agents and 45 other professions, with provisions for consumer complaints and appropriate remedies.
Master Mechanic is a Canadian-controlled private corporation established in 1982 as a franchisor in the after-market automotive repair and maintenance business. The company today has 39 franchise locations throughout southern Ontario and has developed a strong reputation for quality service in the industry.
QUOTES
"The best part about self-regulation is that the people overseeing the organization are those working in the trenches on a daily basis.  They get it.  They know the issues and what the industry needs better than any government bureaucrat."
—Jamie Holmes, VP Master Mechanic
"Many consumers today are in desperate search for an auto repair/maintenance facility that can provide a level of trust in their mechanic to the same extent as a doctor or dentist -- this is the relationship Master Mechanic works very hard to create. The College will bring much needed standards, enforcement and consumer protection to our industry."
—Jamie Holmes, VP Master Mechanic
QUICK FACTS
•    The College represents trades in four sectors: construction, industrial, motive power and services.
•    Automotive Service Technicians are one of 10 motive trades that are part of the College.
•    Master Mechanic technicians' will be listed on the College's new Public Register.
LEARN MORE
•    Visit www.mastermechanic.ca
•    Visit www.collegeoftrades.ca
SOURCE: Master Mechanic
For further information:
Jamie Holmes
Vice President, Master Mechanic
905-820-2552 x 205

The Ontario Mining Association’s 5^th annual “So You Think You Know Mining” video contest is underway. 

This year there are $36,500 in cash and prizes available to be won!  A new website has also been launched where teachers and students can find all the contest details:  http://www.oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/index.asp

Or click on the image above for the PDF poster.

Good luck!

Click here to find out all the details! This contest launched April 8, 2013 and awards will be presented May 27/28, 2013.

Please click here to read the article.