About the Centre
News/Media

For Immediate Release

November 6, 2008

The Centre recognizes Mayor Jackson with Fellow award at “Celebrating Success 2008”

Burlington, ON: The Centre for Skills Development & Training recognized Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson as a Fellow of The Centre at the fifth annual “Celebrating Success” event, held last night at the Holiday Inn Select Oakville at Bronte Hotel. Mayor Jackson joins the ranks of other Centre Fellows: Rudy Reimer Senior, Kevin McAleese, Leo DeLoyde, Barry Finlay, and Jennifer Patterson.

“Mayor Jackson has long been a strong supporter of our programs—he shares The Centre’s value of partnership and understands the need to provide lifelong learning opportunities for a broad range of needs,” said Kathy Mills, The Centre’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We salute him for helping us make connections that strengthen everything we offer to the people and businesses in our community.”

Established in 2005 as the Fellow of the Bay Area Learning Centre award, the newly expanded Fellow of The Centre award recognizes and honours individuals who have used their knowledge and networks to advance The Centre’s learning partnership throughout Halton and beyond.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to The Centre for striving to build a strong workforce and enabling people to work with dignity,” said Cam Jackson, Mayor of Burlington. “It has been my privilege to be on this journey with you. Being recognized as a Fellow of The Centre is a great honour.”

The Celebrating Success event was created to acknowledge the many successes of clients who have worked with The Centre to achieve their career or training goals. Elected officials, representatives from all levels of government, business owners, and community members from across Halton were on hand to hear success stories from some of The Centre’s clients.

Speakers who shared their success stories at the event included: Mohammed Muqtadir (Employment Services client); Linda Just (Women in Skilled Trades program); Alexis Bonecchi (Enhanced Language Training client); and Marilyn Lembke, Senior Manager, Human Resources for the Town of Milton (Corporate Services client).

2008 marks The Centre’s 10th anniversary as a not-for-profit incorporated affiliate of the Halton District School Board in 1998. Today, The Centre is located at the Bay Area Learning Centre at 860 Harrington Court in Burlington, with five satellite locations in Halton and Mississauga. Programs include skilled trades training, employment services, English as a Second Language and Enhanced Language Training, and corporate development services. More information about The Centre can be found at www.thecentre.on.ca.

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Quotes from selected guest speakers:

Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board, and President of The Centre’s board of directors:
“Tonight we’re celebrating the ten years that The Centre has been a formal part of the Halton District School Board, but it’s close to 40 years that got us to this point. Kudos to Centre staff and my colleagues on the board of directors for all their efforts.”

Mohammed Muqtadir, Oakville:
“Everyday as part of a group of other job searchers [in Job Shop] I was exposed to rich discussions about job search techniques in an environment that felt safe. The whole Job Sop experience made me proactive and dynamic in my job search and it has been truly invaluable.”

Alexis Bonecchi, Burlington:
“The Centre is the right place to be if you want a big hand to be launched into the working force in Canada. Be sure that here you will get much more than just skills—you will get the chance to meet amazing people and grow in unexpected ways.”

Contact: Maria McDonald,
Manager, Communications 905-333-3499 ext. 135 |
mcdonaldm@thecentre.on.ca
The Centre for Skills Development & Training
860 Harrington Court, Burlington, ON L7N 3N4