June 28, 2022 – Today, UFCW Local 832 has the distinct honour of handing out high school diplomas to 48 adult learners. These graduates completed their studies over the last three years but haven’t been able to mark their accomplishments with a ceremony because of COVID.
“My most sincere congratulations and respect goes out to each and every one of today’s graduates,” says Jeff Traeger, union president. “These learners bravely took on the challenge of pursuing their high school diploma amidst the intense demands of this pandemic and overcame the obstacles of online learning and balancing their time between studying, family and work.”
Three valedictorians – one for each of the graduating classes – will speak to their classmates and attendees at the 6:00 pm ceremony taking place at the Fairmont, Winnipeg. They are:
- William Ballantyne, class of 2020 – a Cree man from Winnipeg’s North End who learned about the program from his mother-in-law decided the time was right to complete his high school education.
- Mirwais Nasiri, class of 2021 – president and founder of the Afghanistan Cultural and Community Association of Manitoba. Mirwais emigrated from Afghanistan in 2009 where he had been working for NATO as a media analyzer and cultural advisor.
- Moon Jung Persson, class of 2022 – a computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) technician who emigrated from South Korea and studied English and French while moving around Canada with her husband. When she lost her job due to COVID, she took adult high school to upgrade some of the required classes that she didn’t have as many of the courses she took in Korea were not considered equivalent.
Through its Training Centres in Winnipeg and Brandon, UFCW Local 832 provides online and in-person educational opportunities that recognize the distinct needs of adult learners. The Training Centre’s adult high school program in Winnipeg works in partnership with The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, offering free courses that are recognized by the province of Manitoba, universities, community colleges and employers alike.
The Training Centre’s courses extend beyond the union’s membership and in addition to adult high school, the public is also able to access English as a Second Language and Security Guard Training Courses (which have been on-hold due to COVID) at a low cost to students.
UFCW Local 832 is a union that represents nearly 19,000 Manitoban workers in the following sectors: food production, hospitality, poultry, red meat, retail, security, support centres and warehouse/industrial.
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Media can contact:
Crystal Klippenstein
Communications Coordinator, UFCW Local 832
crystal.klippenstein@ufcw832.com
204-588-6254