At the Skills Ontario gala held March 27, Mike McClements, executive dean at Conestoga College and Dr. John Strasser, president of St. Clair College, were inducted into The Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame Awards, honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of skilled trades and technologies.
McClements has been involved in Skills Ontario competitions since 1990, and has supported and encouraged the Conestoga team of faculty advisors, staff, and student competitors to success and medals in regional, provincial, national, and world competitions.
Dr. Strasser has more than 30 years experience as a senior business executive, technical manager, research scientist, university lecturer and has been recognized for his contribution to the minerals industry in Canada with an induction as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.
David Weatherhead of Centennial College was recognized with the Glenn Beatty Volunteer Award. Weatherhead has volunteered as an Auto Service Technical Committee Chair for four years, workshop leader, judge at the Skills Canada National Competition, boat race judge and is always incredibly helpful.
In addition, the Ontarian members of the WorldSkills Team Canada 2015 members were introduced at the gala. Headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the WorldSkills Competition 2015 in August are:
• Philip Bélanger, École Secondaire Catholique de Hearst -Robotics
• Ryan Green, Centennial College - Heavy Equipment Service
• Kaitlyn Hoiles, St. Lawrence College – Aesthetics
• Winston Lord, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning - Electronics
• Tyler Magri, Georgian College - CNC Machining
• Maxime Marineau, École Secondaire Catholique de Hearst (now attending Cambrian College) - Robotics
