Scholarship Donor - AIT

Donor Since: 2002
Number of Scholarships: 32
Websites: Alberta Construction Association
Scholarship Information: Alberta Construction Association/Thygesen Apprentice Scholarships (32)

History:
The Alberta Construction Association is proud to sponsor the ACA/Thygesen Apprentice scholarships in the continued pursuit of excellence in the Alberta construction industry.

Our mission and core businesses provided to over 3000 general contractors, trade contractors, manufacturers and suppliers through our member local construction associations is provided for the information of applicants.

Mission
The ACA partners with Local Construction Associations to promote and support Alberta's non-residential construction industry by providing leadership, a unified voice, and value-added services in the development of industry policies and practices.

Core businesses

1. Advocacy
Communicate the interests of the construction industry to influence government and other stakeholders.

2. Promotion of industry practices and partnerships
Work with construction owners, design consultants, members, and related organizations in the development, promotion, and adoption of standards of professionalism, integrity, and credibility, in the areas of: bidding, contracting, safety and sustainable building.

3. Promotion of a Skilled Workforce
Contribute to member sustainability by supporting policies and initiatives to enhance the supply and skills of industry personnel, including communicating careers and labour market information.

4. Member Promotion and Development
Promote and assist member companies through education and other services.

Jake Thygesen 1929 - 2003

Jakob Tyge (Jake) Thygesen was born September 19, 1929 in Denmark and grew up on a large farm called Holmegaard. At age 16, Jake graduated from school and became a farmer's apprentice working on two farms where as Jake said 'I spent a year learning that you could get tired enough to throw up your food, pass out cold, and still somehow be able to get up at 5:30 the next morning and work another 10 to 12 hours.'

At age 18, Jake was drafted into the Danish army. After 18 months of training and now a Second Lieutenant, Jake was sent to Germany for a year as part of the Danish contingent serving under the British Army on the Rhine.

Jake entered a training program which would take him to Texas, USA to fly jet aircraft. However, a new test indicated he might 'black-out' under certain conditions, so the Air Force decided it was cheaper to get a new pilot than lose an airplane. Discouraged, Jake emigrated to Canada, arriving in Edmonton in January 1952. He contacted a Danish acquaintance who got him a job on farm in Hardisty, Alberta. Jake married the neighbour's daughter, Phyllis McShane, in 1955.

Jake worked various jobs, including the Co-op Feed Mill, shoveling snow, selling vacuum cleaners, digging ditches, farming, and a labourer with the Trans-Mountain pipeline. Phyllis quit work when the children started arriving (they would eventually have two sons, two daughters, and 10 grandchildren).

Jake landed a great job with Imperial Oil Pipeline, but two years later, everyone was laid off. Looking for other work, Jake found that his Imperial Oil titles meant nothing - Jake was a labourer. 'This was my first brush with 'Industry, Provincial and National Standards' and likely the very reason I have tried so hard in my later life to promote some of those values.'

Jake searched the Edmonton Yellow Pages for a possible employer. Fuller & Knowles Co. Mechanical Contractors hired him as a plumbing apprentice. 35 years later, Jake was Chairman of the Board.

In his last year of apprenticeship, Jake was asked to open a Fuller & Knowles branch in Ft. Nelson, B.C and so the Jake and the family made the move. Jake was later transferred to the larger Fort St. John branch, in time became a partner and moved back to Alberta to work at the Head Office in Edmonton. Work projects expanded to the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts, and took Jake as far as Ghana and Saudi Arabia.

Jake had heart by-pass surgery in 1982 at age 50. And while things slowed down for a bit, Jake remained passionate about apprenticeship and life-long learning. His enthusiasm and zest for life led some to say 'Get Jake when you need something done.'

In 2003, Jake died of cancer on his 74th birthday in Edmonton Alberta.
A Few Community Activities:
Past President Fort St. John (BC) Chamber of Commerce
Charter member of Rotary in Fort St. John; Past President South Edmonton Rotary Club; and Paul Harris Fellow
Active in Church parishes and Knights of Columbus
Past Chair- Arch Enterprises Greenhouses
Past Chair- Foundation of Newman College and St. Joseph Seminary
Endowed President's Chair at Newman College
Played vital role in creating $1.3 million industry scholarship fund and established Alberta Construction Association/Thygesen Scholarship Fund

Business Background
Gold, Red, and Blue seals in Plumbing, Heating and Gasfitting
Alberta Apprenticeship Board recognition of Business Management knowledge- ABC Certificate
Banff Centre for Continuing Education - Owners and Managers of Smaller Businesses Certificate
Third-class Stationary Engineer certificate to run Fort Edmonton steam engine
Ownership in and management of various companies, including Fuller & Knowles, Strathcona Mechanical, Sherwood Racquet Courts, M&Z, Expocrete, and Marathon Marine

Industry Background
Past Chairman of:
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
Canadian Construction Association (CCA)
Alberta Construction Association (ACA)
CCA Trade Contractors Section
Apprenticeship Committee Canadian Labour Force Development Board

Past member of:
Canadian Labour Force Development Board (Founding member)
Co-Chairman- CLFDB National Apprenticeship Committee
National Task Force on Apprenticeship
Director- Merit Contractors Association
Mechanical Contractors Association

Awards
Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Robert Stollery Award for Outstanding Leadership and Excellence in the Construction Industry in Canada
CCA Ernest Dobbelsteyn Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to CCA Trade Contractors Council and the Construction Industry in General
Edmonton Construction Association: Claude Alston Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Construction Industry
Numerous Meritorious Awards