The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) recognized the accomplishments of apprentices, employers, and other trade industry stakeholders at the 2023 Apprenticeship Celebration Dinner on Nov. 3.
The celebratory dinner was held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina and was host to more than 400 people working in the trades.
“Skilled tradespeople play a key role in Saskatchewan’s growth,” Jeremy Harrison, immigration and career training minister, said in an earlier statement. “They deserve to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions to our province’s apprenticeship and trade certification system.
“Congratulations to everyone being honoured tonight,” Harrison said.
At the dinner, 30 journeypersons received the Outstanding New Journeyperson award in recognition of them earning the highest mark on their trade’s certification exams between Jul 1, 2022, and Jun. 30, 2023.
The SATCC also issued awards including the Outstanding Instructor and Outstanding Employer awards, as well as the Apprenticeship Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
Industry partners awarded further scholarships and awards to recognize apprentices and journeypersons in their employment or who met the conditions of their scholarship programs.
One of those tradespeople honoured at the event was Kyle Robbins, an agriculture equipment technician working at Young’s Equipment in Moose Jaw.
“My grandfather was a farmer, and I’ve always spent a lot of time around the farm helping him,” said Robbins. “I started as a farmhand pretty much right out of high school, (and started) truck driving.”
After working on the family farm in Marquis, Sask. for around six years, Robbins decided to pursue further education. His decision brought him to Sask. Polytech where he started the Agricultural Equipment Technician apprenticeship program.
“I went and did my pre-employment program in 2015-2016, and when I was (gaining) my work experience, I did it at Young’s Equipment in Moose Jaw,” Robbins said.
“They offered me a job, and ever since then I’ve been here. It was since 2016, I believe.”
After Robbins scored the highest mark on the prerequisite journeyman’s test, Young’s Equipment awarded him with the Western Equipment Dealers Association Scholarship at the event in recognition of him being the top journeyperson in his category.
“I was quite surprised, actually. I don’t know if I ever found out… my mark for the journeyman test. When I was told that I got the top mark for the region I was quite surprised. I wasn’t sure if I passed by the skin of my teeth, or if I did well… it was quite nice to (find this out),” Robbins said.
“The awards night was nice, and it’s nice to be recognized after dedicating yourself to studying, trying to get the best grades you can, and learning as much as you can when you’re there. It’s nice to be acknowledged and get recognized for that.”
Robbins is specializing in heavy duty mechanics. “A lot of the guys are general knowledge, and some guys are more specific. I’m more specific – I mostly do large tractors and engines, transmissions, stuff like that.
“Everyone kind of has a thing they like to work on or gravitate toward, and I think it’s nice to be able to work (on stuff you enjoy),” he said. “When you get good enough at it, you (become) one of the preferred guys (for that specialized task).”
“It’s a good, challenging trade if you don’t mind getting dirty and (working) some long hours. You definitely get to spend a good bit of time outside,” Robbins explained. “It’s fun. You get to meet a lot of real nice customers and a lot of good coworkers along the way, so there are a lot of upsides to it. It’s nice not being stuck inside the shop all day.
“It would be a good career to start out with for anyone looking for a continuous line of work. I don’t think there’s ever a shortage for it, especially in this province,” Robbins added.
“I think almost every branch is always looking for qualified, or at least eager people to learn and either start an apprenticeship or continue as an apprentice through them.”
Robbins said he plans to continue working at Young’s Equipment for the foreseeable future. “I’ll likely stay within the agricultural industry if I ever do leave this company, because it’s nice to see the customers, the farming community, and the outdoors. It’s nice to stay with something you enjoy being around.”
Robbins wanted to express his appreciation to Young’s Equipment for recognizing his hard work and dedication by awarding the scholarship, and for everyone who showed him support. “I appreciate anyone who helped… I (also) want to thank all the instructors, program heads, and everyone at Sask. Polytechnic along the way,” he said.
“On behalf of the SATCC and the Commission Board of Directors, congratulations to this year’s award winners,” said SATCC board chair Jeff Sweet. “Your skills and knowledge keep the water flowing, the buildings standing, and the lights on. The hard work and dedication to excellence demonstrated by skilled tradespeople are an essential part of Saskatchewan’s past and future success.”
For more information including a full list of winners, visit SaskApprenticeship.ca/apprenticeship-celebration-dinner.
To learn more about the scholarship program offered by Young’s Equipment, visit Youngs.ca or call 306-694-1800.
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