The Schulich Foundation launches Canada’s largest skilled trades scholarship program

Posted on Thursday, February 9th, 2023

News Release

Algonquin College among 10 Ontario colleges awarding annual scholarships of up to $40,000 per student

(OTTAWA – February 9, 2023) – The Schulich Foundation today announced a game-changing program, Schulich Builders, a scholarship program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades at 10 Ontario Colleges, including Algonquin College. 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 through this initiative.

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

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

In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also provides leadership training and mentorship to set up graduates for success.

“Skilled tradespeople are essential for our workforce and recognizing their importance with these scholarships only strengthens our commitment to their success,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “Algonquin College has diverse and varied skilled trades programs available to learners that can lead to not only successful career opportunities, but life-long learning. The Schulich Builders scholarship program will be a gamechanger for students interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades.”

Program Details:

Each college will award 10 scholarships per year:

  • five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs, and
  • five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.

Additional supportive quotes:

“The Schulich Builders scholarship will be a gamechanger for so many students, and supports our government’s ongoing work with business, labour, colleges and universities to attract more young people into the skilled trades. We’re bolstering our skilled workforce to build the roads, highways, schools and hospitals our growing population needs.”
– The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

“Post-secondary education plays an instrumental role in preparing graduates for in-demand jobs. This investment in Ontario’s students is an investment in their future, and in turn will help build the skilled trades workforce that Ontario needs to thrive.”
– The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities

“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. 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 Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

For more information, visit: schulichbuilders.com or Algonquin College’s Schulich Builders webpage


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