Loyalist College welcomes significant gift from Canerector Foundation to establish scholarships in the skilled trades

Belleville, ON, Dec. 11, 2023 – Thanks to a generous gift from the Canerector Foundation, nearly 100 Loyalist College students in the skilled trades will be set up for success over the next five years.

Starting this year, 20 Loyalist students will receive bursaries and mentorship as Canerector Scholars. That number will grow to 40 students in year two, with as many as 96 students benefiting from the program.

“We are immensely grateful to the Canerector Foundation for their substantial commitment of nearly $500,000,” says Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “The Canerector scholarships will be instrumental in empowering more students to access post-secondary education at Loyalist and underscore the vital role of the skilled trades in advancing economic development and growth in our region and beyond.”

The Canerector Foundation was established in late 2019 as a way for Canerector and the Hawkins family to give back and help communities in Canada and around the world thrive. The Scholarships in the Skilled Trades program represents a return to Canerector’s roots. The company was founded by skilled tradespeople and continues under Hawkins family leadership under CEO Amanda Hawkins, who is also a director of the Canerector Foundation. Recognizing the shortage of trades professionals in the economy and the opportunities available to those who pursue these fields, the Canerector Foundation funded the scholarships to draw attention to the wide variety of careers that begin with skilled trades education from leading community colleges.

“We are pleased to partner with Loyalist College on scholarships promoting and supporting skilled trades education,” says Amanda Hawkins, Director of Canerector Foundation. “The Canerector Foundation is investing in students and encouraging the pursuit of skilled trades careers which benefit the individuals, as well our economy and communities.”

As Canerector Scholars, students will receive financial assistance up to $5,000. They will also benefit from mentorship and support to ensure their academic success and seamless transition into a career in the skilled trades.

Loyalist is the fifth college in Canada to join the Canerector Foundation Scholarships in the Skilled Trades program.

About Canerector and the Canerector Foundation 

Canerector was founded in Montreal over 75 years ago and consists of over 50 independent companies specializing in the design, engineering, fabrication, machining, casting, and construction of industrial products. Canerector supplies customers worldwide in a diverse range of end industries, including aerospace, agriculture, energy, forestry, infrastructure, mining, nuclear, and transportation. The Canerector Foundation was founded as a way for the company and the Hawkins family to support the communities that have supported them. To date, the foundation has focused on supporting skilled trades education, healthcare, housing and at-risk youth.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.

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Contact:
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com