The Digital Revolution may be more evident than ever with more and more well-known retail establishments like Shoppers Drug Mart and Sobey’s embracing automated checkouts, leaving little room for live cashiers. However, it can’t be denied that there are some skills and talents that simply can’t be replaced by automated devices, and this is true about the skilled trades industry.

In fact, according to a report titled Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario prepared by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, the province currently has an unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent as businesses that deal with skilled trades are finding themselves in a bind to locate qualified professionals who can fill in the gaps. As a result, there is a shortage of professionals in the skilled trades industry.

If you’re considering you’d like to do your part to help address this shortage, the good news is there are numerous options for trade scholarships to get you started. Here is a look into some of them:

Employment Ontario

https://www.ontario.ca/page/finish-apprenticeship

With funding in part by the Government of Canada, Employment Ontario provides taxable cash grants of up to $1,000 per year to a maximum of $2,000 per year for those who are training in a Red Seal trade. A Red Seal qualifies aspiring skilled trades professionals to work in provinces and territories they prefer without having to do additional tests and paperwork. For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/apprentices/grants.html

Skills Ontario

http://www.skillsontario.com/scholarships-and-awards

Skills Ontario is dedicated to building the province’s skilled trades and technologies workforce. They provide a $1,000 scholarship to students who are pursuing a career in the skilled trades and technologies through a post-secondary education. For more information, visit http://www.skillsontario.com/scholarships-and-awards

Horticultural Trades Association

https://horttrades.com/

Those who aim to enter the horticultural trades such as landscaping and gardening can look into this association. The group provides a $600 apprenticeship scholarship for students who are in a horticulture apprenticeship program at an accredited college or university. For more details, you can go to https://horttrades.com/upper-canada-chapter-scholarships-now-available

Canadian Association of Women in Construction

http://www.cawic.ca/page-494148?

This organization is determined to help dispel the myth that skilled trades, particularly construction, are only meant for males. They provide bursaries to females with the same headstrong mindset that women can succeed in the skilled trades as their male counterparts regardless of the physical differences. CAWIC holds several fundraising events throughout the year to raise amounts for bursaries which are provided to a short list of candidates who meet their criteria. Those who are interested to apply or know more about the bursaries can go to http://www.cawic.ca/resources/Pictures/Criteria_2017.03.13.pdf for application requirements and http://www.cawic.ca/resources/Pictures/Application%20Form_2017.03.13.pdf for the application form.

Dwyer Group

https://www.dwyergroup.com/about-us/women-in-the-trades/

The Dwyer Group is another organization holding a strong belief that women can excel in the skilled trades industry. The company is founded by Don Dwyer, Sr. who envisioned a corporation that specialize in buying and building businesses centred on high-quality residential and light commercial services. Although based in Texas, the group awards a $1,500 worth of scholarship to deserving applicants from both the US and Canada who aspire to go into HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical Repair, Glass Repair, Appliance Repair, Fire and Flood Restoration, Landscaping, Residential Cleaning, and Handyman Services. For more information, interested applicants can go to https://form.jotform.com/73037194507154.

There you have it, a brief look into the available trade scholarships in Ontario. Be sure to check on the links provided so you can prepare the requirements accordingly and meet the deadline. Good luck!

SOURCES:

http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/resources-for-women

http://www.cawic.ca/page-494148?

http://www.thewhig.com/2017/06/20/skilled-trade-workers-in-short-supply-report