Camosun College’s School of Trades and Technology will hand out nearly 30 awards totaling $54,000 in a student awards ceremony on May 29.
The event is an annual celebration of the school’s hardworking students and their excellence in skill and leadership. The awards, ranging from $500-$1,000 in cash and bursaries, are sponsored by local organizations and companies and are secured by the Camosun College Foundation.
“We support excellence, as do our industry partners,” says dean of Trades and Technology Eric Sehn. “It is always a very special night with lots of hugs, cheers, and even some tears.”
The college’s foundation has been giving out awards since the ’80s and has never had trouble getting support from the Victoria area.
“The business community here is very generous,” says Michelle Tinis, Camosun’s marketing and communications strategist team leader. “They understand how important post-secondary education is to economic growth in our region, and the need to support young people as they gain the specialized skills required by local industry.”
The ceremony, which is split into Technology and Trades portions, is open to the public and includes a short reception. According to Sehn, the night is a culmination of the school year and the Trades and Technology departments are happy to be able to recognize their students.
“It is an honour and a pleasure,” he says.
A number of new awards will be presented this year, along with the regular high dollar, political, and prestigious awards. For those students accepting awards, it could be a networking opportunity with representatives from most of the sponsors in attendance to hand out the awards.
“Graduates are in high demand,” says Tinis, “as the need for skilled employees continues to grow in the south Vancouver Island region.”