HAAC Honour Roll 2003 Breakfast

In January 2004, the Halton Apprenticeship Advisory Council distributed awards honouring companies' commitment to the skilled trades in 2003. The annual Honour Roll event was held at the Burlington Convention Centre. This year, five companies were honoured. Four smaller firms -- two each in Burlington and Milton -- along with Ford in Oakville received the award for their apprenticeship programs.

"We need really smart kids. We have a lot of computers in our industry now," said Hendrik Kooy, owner of Hendrik Tool and Die, one of the five companies awarded for its apprentice programs. The keynote speaker for the event was Gene Kuczkiw, founded director of the Institute for Enterprise Education, said apprenticeships hold the greatest promise for productivity in Canada.

The Winners

• Hendrik Tool and Die Inc.

  A Milton company, the die builder employs 20 people, a third of them apprentices.

• Sentinel Automotive

  The auto repair works in Martnership with Mohawk College to train young people in Milton.

• TechElectric Automation

  The Burlington service provider of electric controls for machinery has two apprentices.

• Bericap North America

  A Burlington manufacturer with 15 skilled tradesmen.

• Ford Motor Co. of Canada

  For developing the Ford Academy of Manufacturing Services.

Congratulations to all the winners!

On behalf of the Halton Industry Education Council and the Halton Apprenticeship Advisory Council, we would like to thank all those that attended.