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For Immediate Release

May 9, 2008

NEW SCHOLARSHIP HONOURS SCHOOL TRUSTEE

Former school trustee, Ethel Gardiner, was passionate about students and a champion of adult education in Halton. That’s why The Centre for Skills Development & Training in Burlington has established a scholarship to remember this indomitable woman.

“After she passed away last year, our Board wanted to honour her in a special way,” said Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer at The Centre. “She was a strong supporter of life-long learning in Halton and especially at The Centre.”

Presented annually, The Ethel Gardiner Manufacturing Scholarship & Award is available to a Halton District School graduate who is pursuing a career in manufacturing through pre-apprenticeship training at The Centre. It is intended to provide inspiration and support to a worthy individual interested in learning more about the skilled trades in the manufacturing sector.

Ethel Gardiner’s support and commitment to adult education was demonstrated through her tenure as member and Chair of the Board of Directors of The Centre from 1998 to 2006. She was also a teacher for 39 years and a school trustee for 11 years (six of those as Chair of the Halton District School Board). In 2004 she won the prestigious Dr. Harry Paikin Award of Merit and the Halton District School Board Award of Excellence for her contribution to public education.

The 2008 scholarship of $1,500 and sculpture award (created and donated by Burlington Technologies) was presented to Derek Cianfrini at the Second Annual Skilled Trades Graduation at The Centre on May 8. He was a student at Georgetown District High School and graduated from the Martinrea Millwright and Electrical program at The Centre. He has begun work with Martinrea International as a first year Electrical apprentice and has already made an impression on his employer. He was presented with the Fred Jackal Award for being top apprentice of the year at Martinrea.

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is an affiliate of the Halton District School Board. It provides 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.

For more information on the 2009 Ethel Gardiner Manufacturing Scholarship, contact Jane Ball at The Centre at 905-333-3499, ext. 137 or ballj@thecentre.on.ca.