FANSHAWE COLLEGE
College students receive Canada's largest skilled trade scholarships

Ten students, including three from London, have been named Fanshawe College's inaugural recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades, a newly created program that has committed an annual investment of more than $3 million to combat labour shortages and highlight the importance of skilled trades in Canada. 

Pictured are scholarship recipients (top, left to right) Va'quwyen Beals, Fenton Loker, Sebastian Marshall, Emily Holmes, Ava O'Neil, Haley Benoot, Ethan Kopas, Erik Qualie, Emily Pollak and Brandon Buckingham. 
 

Out of a pool of 350,000 potential candidates across Canada, more than 1,000 students were nominated. One hundred students across 10 Ontario colleges have received this celebrated award and are referred to as "Schulich Builders." 

With a $325,000 gift from the Schulich Foundation as part of this new program, Fanshawe has been able to provide five $20,000 scholarships for students in a one-year certificate program and five $40,000 scholarships for those pursuing a two-year diploma program. 

The scholarships cover tuition, tools and living expenses. Schulich Builders will also receive leadership training and mentorship to enhance their student experience and assist with their entry into the skilled trades upon graduation. 

"We are grateful to the Schulich Foundation for their support in helping us unlock the potential of these talented students pursuing careers in the skilled trades," says Stephen Patterson, dean of Fanshawe's Faculty of Science, Trades and Technology. 

"We are proud to promote the skilled trades and support students pursuing this rewarding career path," says Judy Schulich, director, The Schulich Foundation. "Canadians rely 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."  

Fanshawe's Schulich Builders recipients are: 

• Va'quwyen Beals, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Westlane Secondary School in Niagara Falls, ON, Beals is enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall. 
• Haley Benoot, 18, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Chatham Kent Secondary School from Thamesville, ON, Benoot is studying in the Welding Techniques program. 
• Brandon Buckingham, 19, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Valley Heights Secondary School near his hometown of Port Rowan, ON, Buckingham is enrolled in the Welding Techniques program. 
• Emily Holmes, 19, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School in Sault St. Marie, ON, Holmes is studying in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall. 
• Ethan Kopas, 18, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Westside Secondary School in Orangeville, ON, Kopas is enrolled in the Electrical Techniques program. 
• Fenton Loker, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Assumption College School in Brantford, ON, Loker is enrolled in the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program. 
• Sebastian Marshall, 17, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Westminster Secondary School in London, Marshall is enrolled in the Electrical Techniques program. 
• Ava O'Neil, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Medway High School in London, O'Neil is enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall. 
• Emily Pollak, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Westminster Secondary School in London, Pollak is enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall. 
• Erik Qualie, 18, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay, Qualie is enrolled in the Electrical Techniques program.