Durham College Skilled Trades Centre students in Whitby to share $300,000 in annual scholarships

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Published February 10, 2023 at 8:46 am

Ten students in skilled trades programs at Durham College will benefit from $300,000 in scholarships through the game-changing Schulich Builders program, an initiative funded by the Schulich Foundation and 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, with $300,000 going directly to Durham students.

Priority will be given to students nominated by their high school.

“We are grateful for this partnership with the Schulich Foundation and generous supports for students in skilled trades programs,” said Durham College President Don Lovisa. “With these scholarships, we will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced skilled trades graduates who are able to step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities.”

In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders, Canada’s largest scholarship program for the skilled trades, also provides leadership training and mentorship to set up graduates for success.

“We are proud to promote the skilled trades and support students pursuing this rewarding career path,” said Judy Schulich, Executive Vice-President 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.”

Launched this year, 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, including Durham College.

Other schools receiving funding are Centennial, Fanshawe, Algonquin, George Brown, Mohawk, Sheridan, Conestoga, Humber and Loyalist.

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said the bursaries will help students get the skills necessary for a “career for life.”

“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,” he said. “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.”

Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop called the program an “investment in the future” that will “help build the skilled trades workforce that Ontario needs to thrive.”

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.

Applications for Durham College students open March 1 for students starting this September.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/schulichbuilders.

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