Awards and Recognition

To recognize important contributions to the Red Seal program, the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) have created three awards.

• The Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award
• The CCDA Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education
• Red Seal Award of Excellence

These awards recognize contributions in the promotion or development of apprenticeship in Canada. The Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award is for industry members; the CCDA Award for Excellence is for training providers; and the Red Seal Award of Excellence is for administrators.

The Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award

This award honours the important contributions of industry partners to the Red Seal Program. It is named in memory of Darryl Cruickshank, who, in the course of his career with the Red Seal Secretariat, worked with industry to accomplish the following:

• encouraged apprentices to “stay the course” and complete their Red Seal training,
• encouraged employers to take on the responsibility for the next generation of skilled tradespersons, and
• encouraged creativity and flexibility in the design of trades training systems.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee must be a current or recent ^{Footnote *} member of industry in Canada who is involved in the workplace education and apprenticeship of skilled workers by virtue of:

• their business or organization
• their participation in a committee, association or trade group

Selection Criteria

The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion or development of apprenticeship training in Canada.
Contributions are defined as one or more of the following:

• promotes apprenticeship training as a means to a successful and productive career
• promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in the skilled trades and works to support and include apprentices from under-represented groups (e.g. gender and sexual minorities, Indigenous people, racial minorities, newcomers, and people with disabilities)
• demonstrates innovation in the development or implementation of apprenticeship programs
• supports apprentices as they strive for success
• participates in activities that encourage, motivate and promote dedication and passion in a skilled trade
• serves as a role model for success for aspiring skilled tradespersons
• demonstrates qualities of outstanding leadership in apprenticeship

Special consideration is given to those with a Red Seal endorsement, but this is not a prerequisite for the award.

Awards Ceremony

The Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award is awarded in the spring of even numbered years at a national apprenticeship event (if possible).

Recipients of The Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award

• 2022: Graham Prokopetz
• 2020: Gerry Brymer
• 2018: Larry Slaney
• 2016: Ray Massey
• 2014: Allan Bruce
• 2012: William Young
• 2010: James “Paul” McLellan

The CCDA Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education

This award honours apprenticeship educators and training instructors who deliver innovative and top quality instructional programming to apprentices in Red Seal Trades.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee must be a current or recent ^{Footnote *} staff member of an approved technical training provider in provincial or territorial jurisdictions.

Selection Criteria

The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion, development and/or delivery of apprenticeship technical training in Canada in the following aspects:

• promotes apprenticeship and trade certification as a means to a successful and productive career
• promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in the skilled trades and works to support and include apprentices from under-represented groups (e.g. gender and sexual minorities, Indigenous people, racial minorities, newcomers, and people with disabilities)
• demonstrates innovation in the development or delivery of apprenticeship technical training programs
• supports apprentices in their training as they strive for success
• supports students’ achievement towards certification and the Red Seal Endorsement
• participates in activities that encourage, motivate and promote dedication and passion in a skilled trade
• serves as a role model for success for aspiring skilled tradespersons
• demonstrates qualities of outstanding leadership in apprenticeship

Special consideration is given to those with a Red Seal endorsement, but this is not a prerequisite for the award.

Awards Ceremony

CCDA Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education is awarded on odd numbered years at a national, provincial, or territorial event attended by training providers (e.g., Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC)).

Recipients of The CCDA Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education

• 2023: Eric Ellefsen
• 2021: Patrick Jones

Red Seal Award of Excellence

This annual award honours apprenticeship staff who are inspiring leaders in the development and promotion of apprenticeship and trade certification.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee must be a current or recent ^{Footnote *} staff of a provincial, territorial or federal apprenticeship and trade certification organization.

Selection Criteria

The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion or development of apprenticeship training in Canada in the following aspects:

• leads and supports the growth and development of the Red Seal Program
• promotes apprenticeship and trade certification as a means to a successful and productive career
• promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in the skilled trades and works to support and include apprentices from under-represented groups (e.g. gender and sexual minorities, Indigenous people, racial minorities, newcomers, and people with disabilities)
• demonstrates innovative approaches in apprenticeship and certification program development
• demonstrates commitment to the mandate and objectives of the CCDA and their member jurisdiction
• participates in collaborative activities that improve apprenticeship systems across Canada

Recipients of Red Seal Award of Excellence

• 2023: Chris Stubbs
• 2021: Darlene Clark
• 2019/2020: Loreena Spilstead
• 2017: Lorraine Coulombe
• 2015: Mark Douglas
• 2013: Rick Ewen and Joe Black
• 2011: Shirley Dul