Rob James, a member of the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades, presents Dave King with his Alberta Trades Hall of Fame award.Dave King, dean of Lakeland College’s School of Trades and Technology, has been inducted into the Alberta Trades Hall of Fame. 

King was recognized at a Sept. 26 ceremony in Red Deer for his outstanding contributions to skilled trades and apprenticeship education in Alberta. He was joined at the event by his wife Tori, daughters Devynn Teel and Courtney King, and Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College.

“I’m honoured to be inducted into the Alberta Trades Hall of Fame. We come to work, we do our job and we hope we’ve changed people’s lives. I enjoy coming to work. I’m still a technician. I still love talking to my students,” says King, who lives in Vegreville, Alta. 

Career in trades spans 40 years

Dave King (centre) with fellow 2025 Alberta Trades Hall of Fame inductees Fred Richardson and Ken HeatherKing’s career in the trades began in 1985 as a heavy duty mechanic apprentice. An alumnus of Lakeland, he holds Red Seal certifications in heavy equipment technician and automotive service technician. After 20 years in industry where he mentored countless apprentices, King joined Lakeland College in 2006. He taught heavy equipment technician, automotive service technician, and Q endorsement for nine years before becoming dean in 2015.

As dean, King is focused on initiatives that connect students, industry and underrepresented groups to trades training and career pathways. He is widely respected as a leader locally, provincially and nationally, having served on apprenticeship committees, chaired the Alberta Deans of Apprenticeship and Trades, and is an executive member of the National Deans of Apprenticeship, Trades and Technologies group. 

Involvement in Skills Canada Alberta

Dave King celebrates his induction with daughters Courtney King and Devynn Teel, wife Tori and Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland.King also is very involved with Skills Canada Alberta and is currently serving as vice-president of the board. Since 2007, Lakeland apprentices have excelled in Skills Canada competitions, earning 30 Alberta Provincial Skills Canada medals and six National Skills Canada medals. After excelling at the Skills Canada national competition, Lakeland carpenter apprentice Logan Peters will compete for Team Canada at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

“Dave’s influence is felt in classrooms, competitions, policy tables and communities across Alberta. His unwavering passion, integrity and mentorship make him not only a champion of the trades, but also a builder of its future. His induction into the Alberta Trades Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honour,” says Wainwright-Stewart. 

To learn more about King and watch his induction video, visit the Alberta Trades Hall of Fame website.

Top apprentices

Also recognized during the event with a Top Apprentice Award were Lakeland’s Ethan Bourgeault (agricultural equipment technician) and Demi Lofitski (parts technician). Top Apprentice Awards honour the apprentices in each trade who:

  • achieved the highest overall marks in their final period of training, and
  • received strong employer recommendations.

Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology is based at the Vermilion campus and features seven apprenticeship programs, four pre-employment programs and the interior design technology diploma program. 

Photos: First - Rob James, a member of the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades, presents Dave King with his Alberta Trades Hall of Fame award. Second - Dave King (centre) with fellow 2025 Alberta Trades Hall of Fame inductees Fred Richardson and Ken Heather. Third - Dave King celebrates his induction with, from left to right, daughters Courtney King and Devynn Teel, wife Tori and Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland.