NATIONAL AWARD RECOGNIZES SASKATCHEWAN APPRENTICESHIP ADVOCATE

The inaugural Darryl Cruickshank Memorial Award was presented today to Paul McLellan, CEO of Alliance Energy Group of Companies, at the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum's (CAF) 2010 Fifth National Conference, held in St. John's, Newfoundland, June 6-8, 2010. McLellan, a Red Seal Journeyperson Electrician certified in Saskatchewan, is the largest electrical contractor in the province.

"The Darryl Cruikshank Memorial Award was commissioned by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) to honour Mr. Cruickshank's significant contributions to the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program," Chair of the CCDA and CEO of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) Joe Black said. "Mr. McLellan has made long-standing contributions to apprenticeship in Canada, and in particular, has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the training and development of apprentices."

"I extend my congratulations to Mr. McLellan as he has demonstrated outstanding dedication to apprenticeship in Saskatchewan," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "Saskatchewan is in need of skilled tradespeople and it is the support from people like Mr. McLellan that will help us meet our labour market demand."

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Construction Association, and our entire membership across the province, I would like to congratulate Paul on receiving this prestigious award," Saskatchewan Construction Association President Michael Fougere said. "Paul's dedication and leadership to apprenticeship has helped ensure our industry remains at the forefront of meeting the needs of our skilled trades people. Paul is a very worthy recipient."

Paul McLellan's accomplishments include:

• Red Seal Journeyperson Electrician;
• tireless advocate for under-represented groups, apprenticeship and trade certification, and the Red Seal Program;
• employs, coaches, mentors 125 apprentice electricians (8 per cent of Saskatchewan total) under the Alliance Energy Group of Companies, the largest electrical contractor in Saskatchewan;
• over 20 years of volunteerism with the SATCC - 15 years as a Board member and 10 years as Board Chair;
• successfully advocated for the adoption of interprovincial examinations and the Red Seal as the certification standard for all Saskatchewan trades; and
• champion fundraiser for the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship Program; raising several hundred thousand dollars.

The award was presented by the daughter of the late Mr. Cruickshank in the presence of approximately 450 apprenticeship delegates from across Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Lillie Wong
SATCC
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3965
Email: lillie.wong@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-0965