Building the future of skilled trades
Read time: 7 mins
10 Mohawk College students are among the first recipients of scholarships of $20,000-$40,000 from the prestigious Schulich Foundation.
10 students at Mohawk College – and 100 at 10 colleges in Ontario – are the first group of recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades.
The scholarships provide $20,000 for one-year certificate students and $40,000 for those pursuing two-year diplomas, covering tuition, tools and living expenses. Schulich Builders, as they are called, get access to leadership training, mentorship, career planning and networking opportunities.
The vision – similar to the Schulich Leaders scholarship program in STEM programs at the university level – aims to grow a network of ambassadors and advocates for the skilled trades.
Schulich Builders is the Schulich Foundation’s first foray into supporting college students. The Foundation, founded by Seymour Schulich, has donated in excess of $350 million to postsecondary institutions and to education access programs.
Mohawk College and nine other Ontario colleges chosen to be part of the program awarded five $20,000 and five $40,000 scholarships this year.
“We are so excited to be among the small group welcoming the first Schulich Builders,” says Katie Burrows, Vice President of Students, International and Alumni. “We are grateful to the Schulich Foundation for putting its faith in Mohawk College and in the college system in general. With the help of our donors, alumni, and premium partners, we are committing to deliver for our students and the community.”
She says 45 per cent of Mohawk College students report that financial pressure represents the greatest barrier to the completion of their education.
The scholarship is open to high school, mature and second-career students. Recipients are chosen by a committee at the receiving colleges.
Based on their letters of support, applicants are evaluated on work ethic, integrity, aptitude and interest in the skilled trades, along with financial need.
Schulich Builders offers an unmatched opportunity on many fronts, says Lorna Somers, Executive Director of the Mohawk College Foundation.
“The Schulich Foundation is one of the most generous philanthropic organizations in our country. How wonderful that we can now add Mohawk College students to those benefitting from the Schulich Foundation’s response to a crisis for our country. ”
This is a quantum leap forward for college education and the skilled trades. These scholarships are transformative for students and skilled trades education, and we will see the impact of this program for years to come.
Mohawk College: “The gold standard”
When the leaders at the Schulich Foundation realized that the incredible opportunities, salaries and career paths within the skilled trades weren’t translating into more young people entering those programs in colleges, they decided they could make a difference, says David Goodman, Vice President at the Schulich Foundation.
“We were just scratching our heads. Why aren’t more high school students considering the skilled trades? Many are going into fields with a much lower ability to make a high wage. We feel it’s because of a lack of awareness of the opportunities.”
The Foundation reached out to colleges and collected data, finding that many skilled trades programs are not at full enrollment and apprenticeship and journeyperson paths are not promoted as much as they should be.
“This signalled to us that we could be advocates and champions of the skilled trades as a viable and rewarding career path.”
A prestigious scholarship program will hopefully change perceptions for students, parents and educators, says Goodman. A worsening skilled trades shortage is especially dire at a time of a housing crisis and the critical need to shift to a low-carbon economy.
“And we are seeing a massive disruption to the future of work from AI (artificial intelligence). It means that many professional roles that have traditionally been aspired to by young people are seeing huge downsizing worldwide. The skilled trades is work that isn’t done by software.”
Goodman has very high praise for Mohawk College, calling it “the gold standard” and a “massive asset for Ontario and Canada.”
“It is at the top of the skilled trades game. It has incredible facilities, faculty and leadership. If we could sprinkle what happens at Mohawk College across the country, we would go a long way to addressing this shortage. It feels kind of magical in a way.”
Somers says there are many leaders within and outside Canada who are proud to have been trained in Schulich schools and faculties or who have benefitted from a Schulich Leaders Scholarship.
“They are all recognized by their training as being exceptional leaders, and committed to giving back and changing the world we live in.”
Up close with two Schulich Builders
Mackenzie Booker applied this summer for a one-year Construction Techniques certificate carpentry program at Mohawk College. She was working as a
carpentry labourer in the Yukon at the time and decided it was something she wants to pursue as a career.
But Booker, 22, wasn’t sure she could afford to go back to school full time.
She got an email from Mohawk College that listed scholarships and bursaries and decided to apply for the Schulich Builders program.
“I was really surprised to get it. I didn’t think there was a chance that would happen,” says Booker, who lives in Woodstock with her mother and grew up in Windham Centre. She didn’t tell anyone she was going to college until she also shared she was receiving the scholarship.
“This takes a lot of the stress off me financially and will help me focus on school.” She plans to enter a two-year diploma program following her certificate and to eventually pursue a Red Seal designation. She most enjoys the framing side of carpentry.
“I like being there at the beginning of the build and I like to work outside, too.”
Booker says she already feels connected to the Schulich Builders network and looks forward to the doors it will open for her.
“It’s really cool to be part of this.”
Ben Wernaart of St. Williams, Ont. was also surprised to win a scholarship. He was awarded $40,000 for a two-year diploma in Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation (Industrial Mechanic Millwright).
“I couldn’t believe it when I opened the email. I was kind of in shock for a minute. I read it through again and then I called my mom.”
Wernaart decided to come to Mohawk College after three years at another college. He heard good things from a friend about the Manufacturing Engineering
I was already excited about coming to Mohawk. This scholarship hugely changes my college experience. The No. 1 thing it does is that it gives me time. I don’t have to work part-time now. I can focus on school. That’s a huge gamechanger.
Wernaart, who has Type 1 diabetes, says the scholarship also gives him the freedom to focus on his health because he’ll have time to go to the gym and get enough sleep.
The 22-year-old plans to pursue a career as a millwright and says the skilled trades offer amazing opportunities. “If you’re hard-working and willing to listen and learn, there is so much room to move up quickly. There can be a fast progression in your career.”
Wernaart knows that earning the scholarship will open doors. “I don’t have to worry about anything else but doing well here. I will learn everything I can and hit the ground running when I graduate.” 
2023 Schulich Builders Scholarship Recipients
Mackenzie Booker is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Woodstock, Ontario, Booker is studying in the Construction Techniques program this fall.
Ben Wernaart is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of St. Williams, Ontario, Wernaart has entered the Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation program this fall.
Ayden D’Orio, of Milton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, D’Orio has entered the Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation program this fall.
Caleb Kiprutto, of Burlington, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Burlington’s Aldershot School, Kiprutto will be studying in the Electrical Engineering Technician – Power program this fall.
Rajae Richards, of Oakville, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Oakville Trafalgar HighSchool, Richards is studying the Building Renovation Technician program this fall.
Isaac Shaw, of Smithville, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Grimsby, Ontario, Shaw will be studying the Manufacturing Engineering Technician - Automation program this fall.
Ryan Cassalman, of Trenton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Trenton High School, Cassalman is studying in the Construction Techniques program this fall.
Tanner Mifsud is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Ancaster, Ontario, Mifsud is studying Heating, Refrigeration & A/C Techniques this fall.
Nathan Morris, of Milton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, Morris is studying in the Construction Techniques – Plumbing program this fall.
Tyler Weir is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Brantford, Ontario, Weir is studying Heating, Refrigeration & A/C Techniques this fall.