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For Immediate Release

June 27, 2007

Skilled trades graduation honours Centre students

Burlington, ON - The Centre for Skills Development & Training held its first annual Skilled Trades Graduation on Thursday, June 14. Graduates of The Centre’s 2005/2006 pre-apprenticeship construction, manufacturing and electrical programs were honoured at Burlington’s Bay Area Learning Centre in an evening that included speakers, awards, presentations, and entertainment.

“Even though our skilled trades programs have been running since 1995, we thought it was time to give our students an official send off,” says Nancy Moore, Senior Programs Manager at The Centre.

Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer at The Centre, hosted the evening and introduced Gerry Ockenden and Elaine Holding who gave greetings to the graduates from the Halton District School Board and The Centre’s Board of Directors.

The keynote speaker was Mary Lawson, former president of the Canadian Home Builder’s Association. She spoke of the need for skilled workers in the marketplace and congratulated the graduates on choosing fields that will be even more necessary and lucrative in the coming years.

Eleven awards were presented to eligible students, including the Leadership Award, the Challenge Award, the Savoy Award for Outstanding Attitude, and the Exceptional Overall Performance Award. All graduates were presented with a token of appreciation from The Centre.

Nancy Moore was very happy with the success of the event. “This was a “first” for our students and staff and we’ll definitely be planning another one for next year. Apprenticeship is the third pillar of post-secondary education and our graduation recognizes an important milestone.”

For more information about The Centre’s Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, call 905-333-3499, ext. 121 or visit www.thecentre.on.ca.

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is a leading provider of quality career and workforce development programs, products and services specializing in Pre-Apprenticeship Trades and Technology, Career Planning and Development and Language Skills and Academic Upgrading.