Celebrating Success Event - November 8, 2018

Client Success Awards

 

Ot Manresa-England

(awarded by Danielle Scott, Centre for Skills)

Ot moved to Burlington from Spain and was accepted into our Get in Gear (GIG)
program shortly after, looking to explore a career in skilled trades. Engaged in all of his
project work, eager to learn and never missing a class, Ot soon realized his passion for
machining and after successfully completing GIG went onto our Millwright and Electrical
Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Youth (MEP) program.

Almost immediately upon graduation, Ot was hired by HPG Inc. and is currently in the
process of being signed as a machinist apprentice for HPG through our new Ontario Adult
Apprenticeship Program (OAAP).

Patricia Campbell

(awarded by Hemant Chauhan, Centre for Skills)

With limited work experience and recently moving to Canada from the US, Patricia had difficulty securing employment. Working with our Employment Services department, Patricia set her mind to not only updating her resume, but also overcoming her barriers to employment; she learned new skills such as how to use a computer, create an email account and online job searching.

Patricia then began working with one of our Job Developers and successfully secured a
placement position with Holiday Inn Express as a room attendant. After all her hard work,
her employer was pleased to retain her once her placement was over. She now feels a
sense of belonging and freedom of choice with her steady income.

Ishrat Fatima

(awarded by Marcella Jager, Centre for Skills)

When Ishrat, a Pakistan immigrant, first came to our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program she could not speak English at all and felt very alone, not wanting to leave her house.

Six years later and now a proud Canadian citizen, Ishrat is currently working towards her
Level 7 English; she’s obtained her driver’s license; and she volunteers for her children’s
school reading program, helping kindergarten children read English. Ishrat feels the
LINC program helped transform her life, and now has confidence to get involved in the
community in ways she has never done before.

HPG Inc. – Employer Success Story

(Richard from HPG, awarded by Mike Harwood from Centre for Skills)

As one of the employers connected with our Ontario Adult Apprenticeship Program (OAAP), HPG Inc. has hired 11 Centre clients, including our Skilled Trades graduates, Employment Services clients, GIG students and Employing Young Talent Incentive (EYTI) program placements. The company’s management team also received coaching on the apprenticeship process of signing and mentoring.

Their General Manager Richard, a Centre for Skills Development graduate himself,
speaks highly of the lifecycle of our programs and how they have evolved since his time as
a Skilled Trades student approximately 15 years ago.

Adam Varga - Ethel Gardiner Scholarship Recipient

(awarded by Raluca Lazar, Centre for Skills)

Prior to training with us, Adam Varga worked as a bartender and in uncomfortably hot kitchens. Wanting a career with a stronger future, Adam attended one of our Skilled Trades Open Houses and chose our Industrial Millwrights Mechanic and Machinist (IMM) Program because of the demand.

Through our partnership with Gary Allan High School, Adam earned his final high school
credits while completing his pre-apprenticeship training, earning his Ontario Secondary
School Diploma. Only a few weeks after graduating, Adam started working in the
machine shop at Tool Room Services.