ARTHUR – Jennifer Green of Arthur was honoured with the Premier’s Award in the apprenticeship category at the annual Higher Education Summit in Toronto on Nov. 28.
The province partners with Colleges Ontario to administer the awards and this year there were 126 nominees across seven categories.
As the only woman in her industrial mechanic millwright program at Conestoga College, Green has cleared the path for thousands of women in the skilled trades through advocacy, mentorship and is a recognized opinion leader on skilled trades and women in trades, by sharing her opinions and experiences at events and in articles, radio programs and podcasts, states a press release announcing the award.
Green was named one of WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women and a Universal Women’s Network Woman of Inspiration. She is a licensed industrial mechanic millwright, with a certificate of qualifications and certificate of apprenticeship and a graduate of Conestoga College.
Today, as director of competitions at Skills Ontario, Green leads Canada’s largest skilled trades competition with 2,400 competitors across 74 contests, 37,000 visitors, and 800 volunteers.
In 2020, she was appointed chair of a team of apprenticeship youth advisors who were invited to work with Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on a provincial strategy to attract youth to the skilled trades.
“Jennifer is an amazing example how women belong and can have phenomenal success with skilled trades as their foundation” stated Skills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft.
“We are so proud of her accomplishments and this important recognition award.”
As part of Green’s acceptance speech, she made comments about positive change for skilled trades.
“Thank you to Colleges Ontario and the Premiers Award, for creating the apprenticeship category in 2017. Recognizing that these careers are just as important, by showcasing them … will continue to break down the stigmas and stereotypes within our province and country,” Green stated.
“Thank you to Conestoga College, as part of the backbone that assisted in solidifying my ability to start my journey and continue with me through out my career. Not only for their programs, but the care and effort from faculty.”
Green continued with notes of thanks to those that have supported believed in her.
“Recognition is so much bigger than ourselves. It’s an opportunity to provide positive influence and a chance for others to learn, grow and be motivated,” she added.
“Thank you to all the people who have supported me on my path: my husband and family, all of my mentors, Skills Ontario, and many, many others. This is not just my achievement – it’s all of theirs, and the nominees, too for skilled trades in Ontario.”
The Premier’s Awards are for outstanding college graduates to honour the important social and economic contribution that they make to Ontario and throughout the world.
The awards were launched in 1992 and are administered by Colleges Ontario.
