Nine additional Conestoga trades and apprenticeship students have been named recipients of the Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Nine additional Conestoga trades and apprenticeship students have been named recipients of the Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Launched in 2018, the scholarship program supported by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation aims to increase multi-trade recruitment and address skills shortages by providing student support throughout the completion of their programs. Scholarships are open to students in their first term of a diploma or certificate trades program, as well as apprentices entering Level 1 in-class training. Recipients receive up to $4,000 — $1,000 per academic term or per level of in-class training — as well as tuition awards from Conestoga each academic year to assist with tuition costs.
“Congratulations to the latest 2019-2020 recipients,” said Jeff Oakes, chair, Trades & Apprenticeship. “We are pleased to welcome our new Weston Family Scholars to a growing network of ambassadors at Conestoga.”
In addition to financial support, Weston Family Scholars are involved in on- and off-campus co-curricular activities through the college’s School of Trades & Apprenticeship, including conferences, open houses and high school events, as well as mentorship initiatives in the community through the Student Ambassador program.
More than 25 students were selected for the scholarship program during the fall term. The additional nine Weston Family Scholars began their studies in January:
Apprentices:
- Stefan Birsan — Electrician - Construction and Maintenance
- Patrick Boudreau — Automotive Service Technician
- Adam Elliott — Automotive Service Technician
- Mike Huber — Cabinetmaker
- Jeffrey Vala — Plumber
- Grant Tsingos — General Carpenter
Trades students:
- Jessica Churchill — Motive Power Fundamentals - Automotive Repair
- Lea Geil — Motive Power Fundamentals - Automotive Repair
- Jake Greenfield — Electrical Techniques
Apprentices beginning their studies in March 2020 are eligible to apply to the scholarship program by the next deadline, March 15, 2020. View the Application Form for more information, or contact Michelle Ruston, liaison officer.
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. The foundation has a long history of supporting excellence in education — one that increases the recruitment, retention and employability of post-secondary students and apprentices who are beginning their careers in the skilled trades. For over 60 years the foundation continues to collaborate with a broad range of Canadian organizations 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 the 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.
For more information, visit the School of Trades & Apprenticeship.