Belleville, Ontario, January 9, 2015 – Loyalist College is delighted to announce that The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has committed an additional $160,000 to help another 40 post-secondary students to earn a skilled trades diploma. Introduced at Loyalist in 2013 with a $240,000 commitment from the Foundation, the Fellowship began as a three-year pilot project, providing financial support to 60 students, including 30 in diploma programs and 30 in apprenticeships. Given the Fellowship’s success in helping participants to complete their skilled trades education with significant tuition and bursary incentives, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is extending funding for post-secondary students for another two years. This will bring the total support through the Fellowship program at Loyalist to $400,000.
“The Foundation is responding to the skilled tradesperson deficit in Canada by supporting college students across Canada,” said Eliza Mitchell, Director of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. “Loyalist College exemplifies this program, providing an innovative approach in helping students gain the education, experience and qualifications they need for a successful career. A unique system of incentives encourages students to complete additional training, thereby boosting their qualifications and future employment opportunities. Standing as a model for other colleges across Canada, this successful program supports motivated students, changes lives and builds a stronger workforce.”
The application for The W. Garfield Weston Fellowship programs starting in September 2015 is available at loyalistcollege.com/programs-and-courses/skilled-trades-and-technology. Deadlines for applications are May 29 for post-secondary programs and July 31 for apprenticeships.
“Support from The W. Garfield Weston Fellowship will help 100 students to achieve their goal of earning a credential in skills or applied technology at Loyalist,” said College President and CEO Maureen Piercy. “We are thrilled that the Fellowship has been extended for another two years, helping to prepare more skilled trades professionals for in-demand electrical, welding, manufacturing, automotive, and building sciences careers.”
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife, Reta. In 1924 Garfield inherited his father’s company and established baking and retail businesses throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. The founders believed that, as the funds are generated through the hard work and success of his Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in the fields of neuroscience, land conservation, education and scientific research in Canada’s North.
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Internationally renowned for its enriched student learning and living experiences, Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior success services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and more than 500 online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations,
Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235; email: dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca