William (Bill) Speed, of Ontario, is the recipient of the 2025 John Oates Memorial Award. The John Oates Memorial Award is about recognizing a volunteer’s significant contributions to the skills movement in Canada.

Speed is a retired teacher who has made a remarkable impact on the Autobody Repair industry over the past 30 years through his career at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute and his volunteer efforts with Skills Canada Ontario and Skills/Compétences Canada.

He is best known for his passion and dedication to his trade, his integrity and his keen interest in sharing his knowledge so that others succeed. He has impacted the lives and careers of countless autobody repair professionals ranging from entry-level apprentices to other industry experts.

Congratulations, Bill, on this well-deserved award!