Canerector Foundation backs skilled trades with scholarships, introductory programs for women
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Five-year commitment will see 160 Mohawk College students receive scholarships in a bid to address growing talent shortage.
Beginning this fall, 32 students in skilled trades will begin their journeys as Canerector Scholars.
The Canerector Foundation is making a five-year, $500,000 investment in Mohawk College. Established by the Hawkins family, owners of Canerector Inc., the Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that has donated over $20 million to deserving causes since its founding in 2019.
“My family has been heavily involved in philanthropy for many years,” says Amanda Hawkins, CEO of Canerector, and the third generation of her family to lead the company.
“Setting up the Foundation was our way to give back and help communities in Canada and around the world thrive. Our support typically falls within three primary pillars. These include housing, healthcare and, of course, skilled trades.”
Amanda Hawkins, CEO of Canerector
In addition to the scholarships, Canerector Foundation is funding an eight-week Women in Skilled Trades program at the Mohawk College’s Marshall School for Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship that will allow women to explore various trades, develop confidence in those disciplines, benefit from hands-on workshops and mentorships, have opportunities to pursue a post secondary diploma, and meet with potential future employers.
“Manufacturing and skilled trades are the backbone of the North American economy,” says Hawkins, who took over Canerector, a group of more than 50 companies, in 2015.
“Helping to support the next generation entering related fields is one of the ways we put this belief into action. The Foundation selected Mohawk College because we appreciate its focus on offering students a solid education in sought-after trades coupled with practical workplace experience – a winning formula for future success.”
“Setting up the Foundation was our way to give back and help communities in Canada and around the world thrive."
Along with Mohawk College’s selection for inclusion in the prestigious Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades announced last fall, the distinguished Canerector Scholarships will be an important recruitment tool for the college, says Lorna Somers, Vice President, Advancement & Alumni Engagement.
“We are thrilled to be a beneficiary of the generosity of the Canerector Foundation. This investment will help Mohawk College attract top students to skilled trades education, while addressing a critical shortage in this essential sector. We are grateful to have been chosen to partner on important initiatives to build the workforce of the future.”
Beginning in September, the Foundation will support 32 students each year for a minimum of five years. Students in one- or two-year skilled trades programs will have the opportunity to vie for these scholarships that will provide $2,000 per year, along with a $1,000 graduation bonus.
A key part of the scholarships is a mentorship program that sees recipients mentor the next group of recipients. It is an opportunity to develop leadership skills, as well as building networks and community.
“Our ultimate vision is that Canerector Scholars will enjoy long and rewarding careers in their chosen field. For the here and now, we hope our support removes barriers to simply getting started or upskilling,” says Hawkins.
According to BuildForce, a national industry organization, it’s estimated that close to 260,000 construction workers will retire by 2029. And about that many new apprentice recruits are needed to keep pace with demand in the skilled trades, according to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum.
The shortage of skilled trades workers means that sometimes students are lured to jobs before they finish their programs, says Samara Young, Associate Dean, Building Systems and Sustainability.
“By offering a graduation bonus, we are hoping to encourage students to stay in school so they get accredited and earn a diploma. That foundation will help them over the long-term in their career paths and trajectories.”
Over the course of the five years, the Canerector Foundation will change the lives of 160 - students, along with many more women who will participate in the introductory program.
“By offering a graduation bonus, we are hoping to encourage students to stay in school so they get accredited and earn a diploma. That foundation will help them over the long-term in their career paths and trajectories.”
“Partnering with forward thinking and innovative stakeholders to create opportunities for more people to explore the skilled trades and STEM fields is in the DNA of Mohawk,” says Young. “Being recognized and supported by the Canerector Foundation for our work in this sector will allow us to do even greater work.”
Hawkins says STEM and skilled trades offer rewarding career opportunities.
“Whether you’re passionate about creating, fixing, or discovering, a path in STEM or skilled trades can lead to a fulfilling and dynamic career. These fields are essential to our economy, driving innovation and building the infrastructure we rely on every day. You'll have the chance to work on exciting, hands-on projects and solve real-world problems, often with the latest technologies. Plus, there’s strong demand for skilled professionals, meaning excellent job prospects and competitive salaries.”
The Foundation’s investment in an eight-week Women in Skilled Trades program is important to Hawkins, too.
She remembers the impact of a group that spoke to her Grade 5 class about engineering had on her. It’s crucial to introduce kids and youth to careers they might not otherwise be aware of, says Hawkins, who has a background in mechanical engineering.
Established in 1947, Canerector is a group of over 50 companies that design and manufacture industrial products across a wide range of industries. Financially secure with no debt, Canerector focuses on reinvesting in their businesses, not selling them. Canerector businesses are empowered to operate autonomously, and benefit from a network of peers, business insights and incentives.
This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.