We bid adieu to one of our longest-standing SMITB Trustees/SMWTCS Directors, Aaron Smith of Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd. Aaron has been at the helm of SMITB/SMWTCS for 24 years navigating through tremendous change over the years:
- Hiring, retiring or replacing 4 Training Coordinators, 3 Lead Instructors, a dozen instructors and half dozen administrators
- Negotiating first-time collective agreement for SMITB staff
- Creation of the Society (2002) for SMWTCS — as a result of government cut-backs to apprenticeship training triggered by de-certification, SMWTCS was forced to charge tuition
- Advocacy leading to re-introduction of Skilled Trades Certification 20 years after the government removed compulsory trades
- Leveraging Main facility (Surrey) to purchase second Valley location (Langley) to meet industry demand for training
Aaron, we thank you for your dedication, unwavering belief and willpower to leave the Training Centres well positioned to begin a new era.
Please welcome Derek Crowie of Summit Sheet Metal as Aaron’s replacement as Trustee/Director.
