Belleville firm receives award for supporting apprenticeships

By Amanda Lorbetski

BELLEVILLE – An award from the provincial government was the last thing to cross Ron Finkle’s mind when he began training apprentices over 15 years ago.

Finkle’s company, Ron Finkle Electrical Services in Belleville, was among four Ontario businesses recognized for supporting skilled trades through apprenticeships at an awards ceremony in Cornwall Thursday.

“I was thrilled to get the award. It’s humbling, because apprentices are a big part of our business,” Finkle said Friday. “So winning the award was an incredible experience.”

The company, specializing in commercial and residential electrical jobs, currently has eight employees and two apprentices.

The best part of Finkle’s job is providing apprentices with the hands-on experience necessary to enter the industry, he said.

“I enjoy the enthusiasm and the wonder they bring to the job. I mean, they ask a lot of questions. They have a lot of energy and experience. It’s just good for a company to have younger people working in the industry.”

Finkle said he will continue training apprentices because in the end everyone wins – apprentices become licensed tradespeople, more jobs are acquired and the company moves forward.

The other winners of the provincial award were ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton, Brampton’s Massiv Die-Form, and Porcupine Trailers Inc. of Timmins.