67 deserving graduates, nearly 350 participants and over $40,000 in scholarships and prizes. It’s safe to say that the annual CETEMM Merit Gala, held on June 4 at Édouard-Montpetit High Scool, was a success!

The annual event, which recognizes the excellence of students who have distinguished themselves in their motorized equipment maintenance program, was once again a resounding success.

The Comité éducation travail en Équipement Motorisé du Montréal Métropolitain (CETEMMM or Education and Work Committee in Motorized Equipment of Metropolitan Montreal), which brings together vocational training centres and several major partners in the Greater Montreal automotive services industry, is more active than ever, and growing rapidly.

For the 38th edition of the Gala, the organizers were able to count on the participation of 27 industry partners to reward the deserving in nine disciplines.

An electrifying evening

Once again this year, after a cocktail reception and nothing less than a red carpet to welcome the evening’s guests, CPCPA Senior Training Advisor Philippe Bussières acted as master of ceremonies for the gala. He gave the floor to the new president of the CETEMMM, Yves Thibert, a teacher at the École des métiers de l’équipement motorisé de Montréal, who said: “Receiving a Merit award is not luck. It’s hard work and talent. I’d like to salute this year’s four Merit graduates and tell them, as I’m in a good position to know, that it’s not size or stature that counts when it comes to excelling in our industry, but heart.”

A tribute award was also presented to Sophie Rouleau, Pedagogical Advisor at the Centre de formation professionnelle Calixa-Lavallée and former president of CETEMMM for two years. Here’s what she had to say to the deserving recipients: “You can be proud of having earned your BEP with this distinction of excellence that is the Merit award. So be proud of yourselves, and don’t let others spoil your dreams. Congratulations!”

But the highlight of the show, in addition to a beautiful video produced by the Auto-jobs team, was of course the presentation of the Merit awards to the 67 students who had distinguished themselves during their training.

They were then joined by some 350 guests for a gourmet evening at a cocktail reception, during which over $40,000 in scholarships and prizes (carts, toolboxes, etc.) were awarded to the graduates. Of particular note were four $2,000 bursaries awarded by Globocam, and four $1,000 bursaries awarded by Communauto.

Here is the list of all the Merit award recipients for this 2024 edition:

Auto mechanics

Heavy-duty vehicle mechanics

Construction equipment mechanics

Technical advisor for vehicle maintenance and repair

Advice and sales of motorized equipment parts

Recreational vehicle and light equipment mechanics

Electric vehicle mechanics

Autobody repair

Industrial paint