Skilled trades students at Hamilton’s Mohawk College earn scholarships

Ten Mohawk College students have earned skilled trades scholarships valued at $20,000 per year.

The Schulich Foundation launched the Schulich Builders Program, dedicated to supporting students who are pursuing careers in the skilled trades, last year. The scholarships are provided to cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of 10 participating colleges, including Mohawk. In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also receive leadership training and mentorship opportunities to set up graduates for success.

“Congratulations to Mohawk College’s 2024 Schulich Builders Scholarship recipients,” said Paul Armstrong, President of Mohawk College. “It is wonderful that they can pursue their skilled trades education without the additional financial pressures that can distract students from practicing for their trades. We are grateful for the support of The Schulich Foundation as the college prepares these promising students for graduation and for rewarding careers in high-demand fields.”

Through the program, each college awards 10 scholarships per year: five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs, and five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.

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

Out of a pool of 350,000 potential candidates across Canada, more than a thousand students were nominated and 120 were honoured with bursaries.

“Post-secondary education plays an instrumental role in preparing graduates for in-demand jobs,” said Ontario Education Minister Jill Dunlop. “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 Mohawk College student recipients include:

Ella Felker (St. Ann’s, ON) – Electrical Engineering Technician – Power program ($40,000)

• Adrian King (Hamilton) – Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation (Industrial Mechanic Millwright) program ($40,000)
• Taylor Skewes (Hamilton) – Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program ($40,000)
• Ava Sunderland (Burlington) – Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program ($40,000)
• Aaliyah Young-Lalumiere (Burlington) – Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program ($40,000)
• Mauricio Gonzalez Villarreal (Burlington) – Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Techniques program ($20,000
• Tyrese Kutama (Barrie) – Power Engineering Techniques program ($20,000)

• Kyle Madsen (Welland) – Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Techniques program ($20,000)
• Justin Mehlenbacher (Fort Erie) – Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Techniques program ($20,000)
• Nathaniel Weinert (Milton) – Gas & Oil Burner Technician 2 program ($20,000)

“Schulich Builders Scholarships provide a wrap-around support program at the largest Ontario colleges offering skilled trade programs,” said David Goodman, Executive Director of The Schulich Foundation, who added that the recipients will also benefit by being “plugged into” a peer-to-peer network of fellow scholarship recipients at their college on a monthly basis.  “Recipients benefit from a full-ride scholarship that covers full tuition of their certificate or diploma, multiple four-figure monetary stipends, and a completion bonus, as well as intangible benefits such as week-to-week mentorship with a dedicated Schulich Builders resource officer that facilitates job recruitment prep and industry connections to employers.”