The W. Garfield Weston Foundation will support Conestoga students through a new multi-year skilled trades scholarship program for students and apprentices entering their first year in the School of Trades and Apprenticeship. Over the next four years, the new program will give more than 65 students and close to 20 apprentices in a range of construction, industrial and motive power sector programs an opportunity to pursue successful careers in the skilled trades.
The scholarships have been structured to support students throughout the completion of their programs. Students selected for the scholarships will receive up to $4,000 from the Weston Scholarship program -- $1,000 per academic term or per level of in-class training, and will also receive tuition awards from Conestoga each academic year to assist with tuition costs. The scholarships are open to students in their first year of a diploma or certificate skilled trades program, and apprentices entering Level 1 in-class training.
Students selected for the scholarships will also be eligible for unique mentoring and networking opportunities at Conestoga.
“We are very pleased to have the support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation,” said Stephen Speers, chair, Trades and Apprenticeship. “This multi-year scholarship program will support students as they complete each level of their training at Conestoga. By helping them successfully finish their programs we can address the growing skilled trades shortage and keep our communities prosperous.”
The first deadline for scholarship applications was February 15. The next deadline is May 1 and will target high school students entering their first year of studies at Conestoga. The scholarship application form provides details regarding selection criteria and eligibility. Contact Adelaide Manley, liaison officer for the Weston Scholarship, for more information.
For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has pursued its mission to enhance and enrich the lives of Canadians. With a focus on medical research, the environment, and education, the Foundation aims to catalyze inquiry and innovation to bring about long-term change. As the Foundation marks its 60th anniversary, it continues to collaborate with a broad range of Canadian charities to further world-class research, explore new ideas, and create tangible benefits for the communities in which it works.
Conestoga is a provincial leader in the delivery of trades and apprenticeship training to serve industry needs and our growing community. Comprehensive programming includes a wide range of post-secondary trades programs that provide pathways to employment in skilled trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.
Visit the School of Trades and Apprenticeship for more information.