2011 Klaus D. Woerner Hall of Fame Recipients

Skills Canada – Ontario’s Annual Fundraising Gala was held on March 4, 2011.  A key feature of the event is the official induction of 6 individuals into the Klaus D. Woerner Hall of Fame.

About Klaus Woerner 

The late Klaus Woerner, founder and CEO of ATS Automation Tooling Systems, was a gifted engineer, entrepreneur and business leader who made a significant and lasting contribution to the global automation industry.  Thousands of young engineers and tradespeople around the world have benefited from his commitment to apprenticeship training.  His sharp intellect, dedication to adding value through innovation, global insight and passion to succeed made him one of Canada's great entrepreneurs.

Since 2006, this award has been presented in memory of Klaus Woerner, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of skilled trades and technologies.  Skills Canada – Ontario is proud to recognize the outstanding inductees listed below.



Left to right: Brian Mullen - Chair of the SCO Board of Directors, Clarke Hurley, Aldo Cianfrini, Kevin Graham, Gail Smyth, Hon. John Milloy - Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Astrid Kropp - daughter of Klaus Woerner, Dr. Charles Craig, Norm Fenton, Ken Mercer



EDUCATION RECIPIENT: Aldo Cianfrini, Education Officer, Ministry of Education

Aldo was nominated for the Klaus Woerner Hall of Fame by Dave Graves, from the Halton District School Board, and Audrey Cartile from the Ministry of Education.  Dave and Audrey have cited Aldo’s vision for what is needed and the ability to turn ideas into realities as the key to Aldo’s many accomplishments.

Aldo is great example of where a skill can take you.  He began his career as a carpenter before becoming a secondary school teacher. He later became a curriculum consultant, the CEO for the Centre for Skills Development, Founding Director of the Halton Learning Foundation and then in 2005 became an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education.

Throughout his career, Aldo's accomplishments have been based on a strong work ethic and a deep-seated commitment to skills training. He works selflessly to promote skills and technology because he believes in the importance of these to the country, to the province and to the individual.  His success is a result of his excellent communication skills and his ability to speak to the issue and convince his audience to support initiatives.  He can connect in this manner and establish his credibility with all types of audiences; political, education and business.

UNION REPRESENTATIVE: Clarke Hurley, Training Director of IBEW Local 105 Hamilton

Clarke Hurley has been the training director of IBEW Local 105 Hamilton for over 10 years.  He currently manages and oversees the instruction of 193 apprentices.  He has mentored over 1,000 apprentices through their five-year apprenticeship program.  His commitment went over and above his employment as the training director.  Clarke has also spent countless hours over the years volunteering his time to assist many young men and women when they needed guidance and educational assistance.  

His nominators, Susan Boorman and Corina Hicks, believe that it is people like Clarke who selflessly volunteer their knowledge, enthusiasm, and guidance that inspire young people to reach their full potential.  Some apprentices who were unsure if they had the stamina and fortitude to continue on the road of apprenticeship, were renewed with confidence instilled by Clarke.

The nomination was also supported by a testimonial from one of Clarke’s students, Jeff Grimshaw. 

“I have known Mr. Hurley since I was an 18-year-old, first-year apprentice.  Over the years I was required to attend safety courses at the training centre and I got to know Clarke very well.  His hard work and dedication to apprentices and to teaching is inspirational.  A couple of years ago, Clarke encouraged me to take part in the Skills Ontario Electrical Wiring Contest.  To help me prepare, he set up some practice work at the training centre.  Through his encouragement and guidance, I finished third in the province of Ontario at the Skills Competition.  Clarke spends countless hours working hard to better improve our courses, schooling and to better improve our apprentices.  I am proud to announce that I have recently received my 309A electrical license.”

ALUMNI RECIPIENT: Ken Mercer, Professor, Mohawk College

Ken has been sharing his knowledge of his skills to hundreds of students for over 20 years.  His passion, patience and knowledge of the trade is an inspiration to all that have the honour to know him.  His nominators feel that Ken’s greatest achievements are the hundreds of graduates that share his passion.

As a graduate of Conestoga College’s Industrial Woodworking Program, Ken got his license in the cabinetmaking trade and started his own business “Ken’s Cabinets.”  He received his teaching certificate from Western in 1980 and started teaching at Mohawk College in 1983.  In 2003, he was the recipient of Mohawk Colleges President’s Award of Excellence.

Ken has been involved with Skills Canada – Ontario since its inception in 1989 and has consistently been one of its strongest supporters, volunteering with the Cabinetmaking Contest for almost 20 years.  As the Technical Chair for this contest, Ken dedicates his time and passion for the trade by getting students to participate and his colleagues to judge the contest.  He ensures that each competitor has the tools they need to compete and the donated materials in order for competitors to keep their completed projects.

SECONDARY SCHOOL RECIPIENT:  Kevin Graham, Consultant, Technology and Experiential Learning/Special Initiatives Facilitator

Kevin has been twice recognized for his continuing contributions to technological education.  He is the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Technology and the Dick Hopkins Award of Excellence in Technological Education.

During the past thirteen years, under Kevin's direction, the District School Board of Niagara has expanded the opportunities for its students in technological education, specifically in the skilled trades, through a combination of initiatives including the Skills Event, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Program, OYAP, Co-operative Education, ACE (Ambassadors for the Conservation of Energy) an SHSM partnership with the Ontario Power Authority, and DSBN an international cooperative education program with Habitat for Humanity – Global Village.

Kevin is unquestionably an inspiration to others in his tireless efforts to promote the advancement of skilled trades and technologies through inspiring and empowering young students and educators as well as creating awareness and connections in the community.  Kevin is in fact quite humble about his achievements, but it is through his personal efforts, management of others, administration of major programs and his ability to inspire and motivate that such significant accomplishments have been made.

 

POST SECONDARY RECIPIENT:  Norm Fenton, Dean, Durham College, School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology

Norm is best described as an outstanding leader, mentor and champion to students, faculty and staff.  He has been a champion of skilled trades and technology, constantly creating, developing and implementing new and exciting ways to attract students to the skills training fields.

Most notably, Norm was a key figure in establishing online learning at the Durham College’s Whitby Campus, which gave apprentices in Ontario’s remote northern communities an opportunity to receive practical training and introduced thousands more young people to careers in the skilled trades who might have been otherwise unable to study in this sector.

Through his own personal efforts, he pioneered online learning for Durham College’s Mechanical Technician – Maintenance and Control and Die/CNC programs as well as all three levels of the Millwright Apprenticeship program.

Norm has previously been recognized for his contributions to education when he received the Ontario Colleges Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

BUSINESS RECIPIENT:  Dr.  Charles Craig, Craig Reading Associates

Dr. Craig was nominated by Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario.

He first earned a general welding certificate from the Province of Saskatchewan, before completing his Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Science of Education from Syracuse University and a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Craig’s contribution to the enhancement of trades training in Ontario has been entirely focused on the success of the learner.  His efforts over the past twenty years of project, program and product development has lead to a greater understanding of the learning needs of those involved in the acquisition of technical skills both in the classroom and on the job.

This is evidenced in one of his key publications - The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities/Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology: The Pathways document for those entering high school, a review of Ontario’s high school curriculum against the competencies required for apprenticeship training.

Throughout his career he has held many senior roles, including Manager of Apprenticeship Training Programs for Georgian College, Manager of the Development and Delivery of Women in Skills Trades programs and as a proposal developer/writer then manager of projects in China, Russia, Indian, Iran and Bangladesh.

Congratulations to all of our 2011 inductees!