Awards & Events

Each year, Apprenticeship Manitoba holds two events to acknowledge the outstanding work of the tradespeople who have recently received certification and those who have supported their journey to get there.

Five blue acrylic and wood Awards of Distinction trophies lined up behind certificates on a table at the award presentation evening event.

Apprenticeship Manitoba and the Apprenticeship and Certification Board are hosting the 19th annual Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction gala on November 27, 2025. This event is a celebration of excellence that recognizes the outstanding contributions made by employers, journeypersons, and instructors to Manitoba’s apprenticeship system.

The Awards of Distinction are held each November to recognize outstanding employers, instructors, and journeypersons who have made significant contributions to the apprenticeship system.

The 2025 Awards of Distinction will be presented seven awards in three categories:

Employer of the Year

  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR – RURAL AND NORTHERN (primary work location outside Winnipeg perimeter)
  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR – URBAN (primary work location in Winnipeg)
  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR – SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONALLY EXPERIENCED TRADESPERSONS

Instructor of the Year

  • INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR - PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM TRAINING
  • INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR - TECHNICAL TRAINING

Journeyperson of the Year

  • JOURNEYPERSON OF THE YEAR - URBAN (primary work location in Winnipeg)
  • JOURNEYPERSON OF THE YEAR – RURAL AND NORTHERN (primary work location outside Winnipeg perimeter)

Nomination Forms

Do you know a deserving employer, journeyperson, or instructor who has made an outstanding contribution to the apprenticeship training system? A person who has made a difference in the skilled trades? Consider nominating someone today!

2025 Entry Deadline for nominations: September 26, 2025

Employer of the year Nomination Form

Instructor of the year Nomination Form

Journeyperson of the year Nomination Form

Sponsorship Opportunity

Sponsoring an awards event is an excellent opportunity to enhance your company’s visibility and recognition in the community. It also shows your commitment to raising the profile of a career within the skilled trades.

Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction – Sponsorship package and application

Sponsorship deadline: September 26, 2025

2024 Awards of Distinction

Apprenticeship Manitoba and the Apprenticeship and Certification Board hosted the 18th annual Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction gala on November 21, 2024. This event was a celebration of excellence that recognized the outstanding contributions that employers, journeypersons and instructors make to Manitoba’s apprenticeship system.

A total of 38 nominees were recognized in five categories in front of approximately 350 attendees.

The 2024 Awards of Distinction were presented to the following recipients:

  • RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
    Darse Ltd. in the trade of Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
  • URBAN EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
    Green Department HVAC in the trade of Gasfitter
  • TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
    Eric Swanson, Red River College Polytechnic in the trade of Carpenter
  • URBAN JOURNEYPERSON OF THE YEAR
    Kevin Wasylenko, in the trade of Landscape Horticulturist
  • RURAL JOURNEYPERSON OF THE YEAR
    Ashley McCartney, in the trade of Esthetician
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The Highest Achievement Awards take place in the spring to recognize apprentices who have completed the training requirements and to honour excellence in academic achievements and on-the-job training. Two journeypersons who received certification through trades qualification are also recognized.

Awards include:

  • Ron Krishka Memorial Award
  • Internationally Experienced Tradesperson Award
  • Highest Achievement Awards are given out for each trade.
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