St. Andrews, NB — The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) announces that Eric Ellefsen, refrigeration and air conditioning instructor at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), St. Andrews, New Brunswick, is the winner of the 2023 Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education.
The award honours apprenticeship educators and training instructors who deliver innovative and top-quality instructional programming to apprentices in Red Seal Trades. Ellefsen has over 30 years of experience being a refrigeration and air conditioning instructor.
To be eligible for the award, the CCDA states that a nominee needs to have 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
- 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 toward certification and the Red Seal endorsement
Ellefsen has taught NBCC refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic (RACM) apprentices in St. Andrews, N.B., for over 30 years, helped pioneer training technologies in courses, such as 3D virtual training, and has participated in Skills New Brunswick competitions.
Throughout his career, Ellefsen has been a significant advocate in supporting the inclusion of diverse groups in the skilled trades. He participates in the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician Trades Exploration Program for underrepresented groups.
Ellefsen mentored and inspired the first female Red Seal refrigeration and air conditioning technician in New Brunswick.