Terry Cooke Legacy of Skilled Excellence Scholarship

The Terry Cooke Legacy of Skilled Excellence Scholarship honours the immense contributions and leadership of Terry Cooke in promoting skilled trade and technology careers to young people in Alberta, and across the globe. Terry was a founding member of Skills Canada Alberta, and former Treasurer for WorldSkills International.

The scholarship is awarded to a high school student who has exemplified exceptional dedication and talent in their trade or technology skill area. It will be awarded annually to the top scoring secondary student on Team Alberta at the Skills Canada National Competition, as determined by the Z score calculation and best of province ranking.

Value and Allocation

$5000 per year to support post-secondary studies in their chosen field for a maximum of 4 years.

Any mid-term change to the recipient’s field of study must be approved by Skills Canada Alberta; in which case the maximum allowable 4 years will still apply.

If the recipient completes their original field of study in less than the allowable term of 4 years, they may be permitted to apply the remainder of the funds to a second, complementary study, at the discretion and approval of Skills Canada Alberta.

Terry Cooke

Terry Cooke’s celebrated history with the Skills Movement goes back to 1992, as a founding Board member of Skills Canada Alberta. The very next year, he was an integral part of the planning to take this movement to a national level. He occupied several important positions of leadership within Skills Canada Alberta, Skills Competences Canada and WorldSkills International – including Board President of Skills Competences Canada, Canada’s Official Delegate with WorldSkills International, and Treasurer for both WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills International. 

During his 19 years with WorldSkills, and 30 plus years with Skills Canada and Skills Canada Alberta, Terry was instrumental in positioning trade and technology careers as first choice options for so many young people. He worked tirelessly to inspire youth to follow their passions, develop their skills, and pursue excellence. He felt so strongly that trade and technology professionals were integral parts of the fabric of our national and global community and should be celebrated as such.

The Terry Cooke Legacy of Skilled Excellence Scholarship provides an opportunity for Terry’s conviction in celebrating the success of young skilled professionals to continue in perpetuity.