Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Announces New Board Chair

Oct 30, 2020

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) has announced the appointment of Lionel Railton, RSE, CEB, PPAC as the new Board of Directors Chair.

CAF-FCA Executive Director, France Daviault notes “We are incredibly fortunate to secure the leadership of someone with more than forty years of on-the-ground experience in the skilled trades. Having served his union in many capacities, Lionel has a full understanding of the strengths and opportunities that exist and how apprenticeship can play a key role in fueling Canada’s economic growth.”

A third-generation member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Lionel is a respected union representative with a depth of knowledge in executive board and financial management. In his current role as Canadian Director, Lionel is responsible for the oversight and support of the 17 Canadian Local Unions of the IUOE serving 55,000 Canadian members employed in the construction, road building, mining, industrial, healthcare, education, building maintenance and related sectors.

“I am sincerely grateful and look forward to continuing the outstanding work the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum has done for the skilled trades community over the last twenty years. Government agendas around apprenticeship are continually expanding and CAF-FCA is wellpositioned as the national voice through its research, discussion and collaboration with stakeholders across the country.” remarks Lionel. “I look forward to working with my Board colleagues this fall to develop a new strategic plan which will guide CAF-FCA activities for the next three years. The collective passion and commitment to apprenticeship training among our members, Board of Directors and staff will continue to be the motivating factor for our work on behalf of the national apprenticeship community.”

2020 CAF-FCA Board Elections were recently conducted and affirmed at the Annual General Meeting of Members on October 21, 2020. The following Directors were elected to four-year terms in five constituencies:

Jurisdiction – J’Amey Bevan, Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Labour – Cordell Cole, IBEW

Equity – Joann Greeley, Office to Advance Women Apprentices

Employer – Rebecca Kragnes, Bird Construction

Education – Frank Rossi, College of New Caledonia

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