Canada’s biggest trades scholarship program just launched

Key Takeaways:

• Schulich Builders will spend more than $3 million in its first year.
• Scholarships will cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of ten participating colleges in Ontario.
• Each college will award ten scholarships per year: five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs and five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.
• In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also provides leadership training and mentorship.

The Whole Story:

The Schulich Foundation has launched Canada’s largest skilled trades scholarship program: Schulich Builders.

Schulich Builders will be dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. In its first year of operation, more than $3 million is committed to combat labour shortages and highlight the importance of skilled trades in Canada.

“We are proud to promote the skilled trades and support students pursuing this rewarding career path,” said Judy Schulich, director of the Schulich Foundation. “Canadians rely heavily on the trades to build and maintain infrastructure critical for prosperous communities. Our challenge today is not having enough of these talented people to meet the demand.”

Schulich Builders will cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of ten participating colleges in Ontario. Priority will be given to students nominated by their high school. Students may also apply directly through participating colleges: Centennial, Fanshawe, Algonquin, George Brown, Mohawk, Sheridan, Conestoga, Durham, Humber and Loyalist.

Each college will award ten scholarships per year: five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs and five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.

In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also provides leadership training and mentorship.

“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, which means when you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour. “With Schulich Foundation’s skilled trade scholarship program, they are helping to attract and prepare a new generation of skilled trades workers here in Ontario for better jobs and bigger paycheques.” 

The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada’s largest foundations, having donated in excess of $350 million. Businessman Seymour Schulich established and funded the Schulich Foundation. He holds Canada’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada.