A Canadian student expected to work four or five shifts a week to afford college; a $20,000 skilled-trades scholarship now covers tuition, tools and living costs as she trains for an HVAC career
A student at Mohawk College in Ontario, Canada, who expected to work four or five shifts a week to pay for her education, has received a $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship to cover her tuition, equipment, and living costs as she trains for a career in heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning. The funding is part of Canada’s largest skilled trades scholarship program, created by The Schulich Foundation to help fix worker shortages and support students entering high demand technical jobs. According to release details published by Education News Canada, the Schulich Builders program gives large financial awards to college students enrolled in eligible certificate and diploma programs at participating schools across Ontario, including Mohawk College.
Financial relief and focus on studies
For students starting post-secondary technical programs, juggling heavy work schedules with hands-on coursework often causes real strain. The $20,000 scholarship covers key expenses, including program tuition, required tools, safety equipment, and daily living costs. By removing this financial pressure, the funding lets the recipient focus fully on her hands-on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) training instead of splitting her time between classes and several part-time jobs. The award is designed to support students through their studies, as long as they stay enrolled full-time and pass their required courses.
Addressing national shortages in skilled trades
The Schulich Builders Scholarship program was launched by The Schulich Foundation in 2023 to shine a light on careers in technical industries and help close major job gaps across Canada. According to program statistics released by The Schulich Foundation, Canada faces a growing shortage of skilled trade workers, with projections showing that more than one in six job openings will be in technical trades. The scholarship program aims to encourage high school graduates and future students to consider careers as HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, welders, and carpenters. Judy Schulich, Director of The Schulich Foundation, spoke about the important role technical workers play in keeping national infrastructure running. “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,” Schulich said in an official statement about the awards.
College support and local economic impact
Participating schools like Mohawk College work with industry partners to offer specialized technical training suited to local job market needs. Along with direct financial awards, recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarship get access to leadership training and ongoing mentorship to help guide them into the workforce after graduation. The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities has voiced continued support for public-private partnerships that lower financial barriers for trades students, noting that college programs remain essential for giving the province’s future workforce the specialized technical skills it needs.
