SCHULICH BUILDERS
Fanshawe students among second cohort to receive Canada's largest skilled trade scholarships

Ten students, including five from London, have been named Fanshawe College's latest recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades.

This marks the second year of the prestigious program, established by The Schulich Foundation in 2023 to combat labour shortages and highlight the importance of skilled trades in Canada through an annual investment of more than $3 million.

More than 1,000 students across Canada were nominated out of a pool of 350,000 potential candidates. In total, 120 students across 12 Ontario colleges have received this award and are referred to as "Schulich Builders."

With a $325,000 gift from the Schulich Foundation, Fanshawe is able to provide another six $20,000 scholarships for students in a one-year certificate program and four $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 ongoing 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:

• Jacob Ament, 19, is a recipient of $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Medway High School in London, ON, Ament is enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall.
• Sade Aves, 19, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, ON, Aves is studying in the Electrical Techniques program.
• Austin Bilinsky, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Simcoe, ON, Bilinsky is enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Technician program.
• Isabelle Gevaert, 17, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Kingsville District High School in Kingsville, ON, Gevaert is studying in the Electrical Techniques program this fall.
• Riley Houston, 17, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Dr. Frank J Hayden High School in Burlington, ON, Houston is enrolled in the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program.
• MacKenna McFall, 18, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Waterdown District High School near Hamilton, ON, McFall is enrolled in the Auto Body Repair Techniques program.
• Keegan McVey, 18, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School in Angus, ON, McVey is enrolled in the Plumbing Techniques program.
• Nathanael Pollock, 19, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. Joseph's Catholic High School in St. Thomas, Pollock is enrolled in the Welding Techniques program this fall.
• Carter Vaughan-Warford, 18, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. André Bessette Catholic Secondary School in London, Vaughan-Warford is enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Technician program this fall.
• Hailey Weston, 17, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Fanshawe's School Within a College (SWAC) program, Weston is enrolled in the Welding Techniques program.

About The Schulich Foundation

The Schulich Foundation is one of Canada's largest foundations, having donated in excess of $350 million. Seymour Schulich established and funded The Schulich Foundation. He holds Canada's highest civilian award, the Order of Canada, and is among Canada's greatest philanthropists. Having benefited greatly from a scholarship that enabled him to do his MBA, Mr. Schulich has built a well-earned reputation as a champion for education and access to education in Canada and around the world. The Schulich Foundation has endowed university faculties of business, engineering, medicine, law, education, music, chemistry, nursing and dentistry; libraries, dormitories, courtyards, medical health centres, lecture and music halls. Over 7,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students in Schulich Schools.

The Foundation's largest initiative is the $200 million Schulich Leader Scholarships program, spanning 25 universities across Canada and Israel, in support of students pursuing STEM education. For more information visit: https://schulichbuilders.com