WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) has presented eight scholarships to employees or dependents of its members.

Four of the scholarships awarded were based on academics while the remaining four were presented to apprentices who were employed by an MTA member company in the Transport Truck Mechanic and Transport Trailer Mechanic apprenticeship programs. The presentation took place Aug. 26 by Vic Switzer, president of the MTA, Larry Seel, chairman of the Associated Trades Division, and Bob Dolyniuk, general manager of the MTA.

Academic winners of $1,000 included: Kevin Gulay of Fisher Branch, Man.; Matthew Hofer of Niverville, Man.; Caitlin Laird, Winnipeg, Man.; and Ryan Smith, Winnipeg, Man.

Winning in the apprenticeship program were: Nelson Oliveira, Level 1 transport truck mechanic apprentice, Oak Point Service, $250; Juston Schmidt, Level 2 transport truck mechanic apprentice, Freightliner Manitoba, $1,000; Glen Naslund, Level 1 and 2 transport trailer mechanic apprentice, Bison Transport, $250 and $1,000.

"We are a people industry – in fact, in Manitoba, over 33,000 are directly and indirectly employed and, if we consider the number of dependents involved, there are many thousands more who depend on trucking for their livelihood. We want to recognize the contribution of those member firms, whose employees have done so much for the trucking industry and our province," said Switzer.