10 Mohawk College students are among the first recipients of scholarships of $20,000-$40,000 from the prestigious Schulich Foundation.

10 students at Mohawk College – and 100 at 10 colleges in Ontario – are the first group of recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades.

The scholarships provide $20,000 for one-year certificate students and $40,000 for those pursuing two-year diplomas, covering tuition, tools and living expenses. Schulich Builders, as they are called, get access to leadership training, mentorship, career planning and networking opportunities.

The vision – similar to the Schulich Leaders scholarship program in STEM programs at the university level – aims to grow a network of ambassadors and advocates for the skilled trades.

Schulich Builders is the Schulich Foundation’s first foray into supporting college students. The Foundation, founded by Seymour Schulich, has donated in excess of $350 million to postsecondary institutions and to education access programs.

Mohawk College and nine other Ontario colleges chosen to be part of the program awarded five $20,000 and five $40,000 scholarships this year.

“We are so excited to be among the small group welcoming the first Schulich Builders,” says Katie Burrows, Vice President of Students, International and Alumni. “We are grateful to the Schulich Foundation for putting its faith in Mohawk College and in the college system in general. With the help of our donors, alumni, and premium partners, we are committing to deliver for our students and the community.”

She says 45 per cent of Mohawk College students report that financial pressure represents the greatest barrier to the completion of their education.

The scholarship is open to high school, mature and second-career students. Recipients are chosen by a committee at the receiving colleges.

Based on their letters of support, applicants are evaluated on work ethic, integrity, aptitude and interest in the skilled trades, along with financial need.

Schulich Builders offers an unmatched opportunity on many fronts, says Lorna Somers, Executive Director of the Mohawk College Foundation. 

“The Schulich Foundation is one of the most generous philanthropic organizations in our country. How wonderful that we can now add Mohawk College students to those benefitting from the Schulich Foundation’s response to a crisis for our country. ”

Mohawk College: “The gold standard”

When the leaders at the Schulich Foundation realized that the incredible opportunities, salaries and career paths within the skilled trades weren’t translating into more young people entering those programs in colleges, they decided they could make a difference, says David Goodman, Vice President at the Schulich Foundation.

“We were just scratching our heads. Why aren’t more high school students considering the skilled trades? Many are going into fields with a much lower ability to make a high wage. We feel it’s because of a lack of awareness of the opportunities.”

The Foundation reached out to colleges and collected data, finding that many skilled trades programs are not at full enrollment and apprenticeship and journeyperson paths are not promoted as much as they should be.

“This signalled to us that we could be advocates and champions of the skilled trades as a viable and rewarding career path.”

A prestigious scholarship program will hopefully change perceptions for students, parents and educators, says Goodman. A worsening skilled trades shortage is especially dire at a time of a housing crisis and the critical need to shift to a low-carbon economy.

“And we are seeing a massive disruption to the future of work from AI (artificial intelligence). It means that many professional roles that have traditionally been aspired to by young people are seeing huge downsizing worldwide. The skilled trades is work that isn’t done by software.”

Goodman has very high praise for Mohawk College, calling it “the gold standard” and a “massive asset for Ontario and Canada.”

“It is at the top of the skilled trades game. It has incredible facilities, faculty and leadership. If we could sprinkle what happens at Mohawk College across the country, we would go a long way to addressing this shortage. It feels kind of magical in a way.”

Somers says there are many leaders within and outside Canada who are proud to have been trained in Schulich schools and faculties or who have benefitted from a Schulich Leaders Scholarship.

“They are all recognized by their training as being exceptional leaders, and committed to giving back and changing the world we live in.”

Up close with two Schulich Builders

Mackenzie Booker applied this summer for a one-year Construction Techniques certificate carpentry program at Mohawk College. She was working as a 
carpentry labourer in the Yukon at the time and decided it was something she wants to pursue as a career.

But Booker, 22, wasn’t sure she could afford to go back to school full time.

She got an email from Mohawk College that listed scholarships and bursaries and decided to apply for the Schulich Builders program.

“I was really surprised to get it. I didn’t think there was a chance that would happen,” says Booker, who lives in Woodstock with her mother and grew up in Windham Centre. She didn’t tell anyone she was going to college until she also shared she was receiving the scholarship.

“This takes a lot of the stress off me financially and will help me focus on school.” She plans to enter a two-year diploma program following her certificate and to eventually pursue a Red Seal designation. She most enjoys the framing side of carpentry.

“I like being there at the beginning of the build and I like to work outside, too.”

Booker says she already feels connected to the Schulich Builders network and looks forward to the doors it will open for her.

“It’s really cool to be part of this.”

Ben Wernaart of St. Williams, Ont. was also surprised to win a scholarship. He was awarded $40,000 for a two-year diploma in Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation (Industrial Mechanic Millwright).

“I couldn’t believe it when I opened the email. I was kind of in shock for a minute. I read it through again and then I called my mom.”

Wernaart decided to come to Mohawk College after three years at another college. He heard good things from a friend about the Manufacturing Engineering

Wernaart, who has Type 1 diabetes, says the scholarship also gives him the freedom to focus on his health because he’ll have time to go to the gym and get enough sleep.

The 22-year-old plans to pursue a career as a millwright and says the skilled trades offer amazing opportunities. “If you’re hard-working  and willing to listen and learn, there is so much room to move up quickly. There can be a fast progression in your career.”

Wernaart knows that earning the scholarship will open doors. “I don’t have to worry about anything else but doing well here. I will learn everything I can and hit the ground running when I graduate.” 

2023 Schulich Builders Scholarship Recipients

Mackenzie Booker is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Woodstock, Ontario, Booker is studying in the Construction Techniques program this fall.

Ben Wernaart is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of St. Williams, Ontario, Wernaart has entered the Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation program this fall.

Ayden D’Orio, of Milton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, D’Orio has entered the Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Automation program this fall.

Caleb Kiprutto, of Burlington, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Burlington’s Aldershot School, Kiprutto will be studying in the Electrical Engineering Technician – Power program this fall.

Rajae Richards, of Oakville, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Oakville Trafalgar HighSchool, Richards is studying the Building Renovation Technician program this fall.

Isaac Shaw, of Smithville, Ontario, is a recipient of the $40,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Grimsby, Ontario, Shaw will be studying the Manufacturing Engineering Technician - Automation program this fall.

Ryan Cassalman, of Trenton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of Trenton High School, Cassalman is studying in the Construction Techniques program this fall.

Tanner Mifsud is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Ancaster, Ontario, Mifsud is studying Heating, Refrigeration & A/C Techniques this fall.

Nathan Morris, of Milton, Ontario, is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, Morris is studying in the Construction Techniques – Plumbing program this fall.

Tyler Weir is a recipient of the $20,000 Schulich Builders Scholarship. A resident of Brantford, Ontario, Weir is studying Heating, Refrigeration & A/C Techniques this fall.

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

Homebuilder Steve Stipsits of Branthaven Homes is backing a five-year initiative through City School by Mohawk.

A distinguished alumnus is supporting City School by Mohawk and skilled trades training and recruitment at the college with a $1-million donation.

Steve Stipsits, president of local homebuilder Branthaven Homes, says the ongoing housing and housing affordability crisis cannot be solved unless the skilled trades shortage is addressed.

“There is an acute shortage already and a major wave of retirements is about to begin. We can’t build the housing we need without the skilled trades.”

Stipsits, who made the donation along with his wife, Elizabeth, says investing in City School will get more people trained – up to 1,200 individuals – while also tackling engrained poverty in some of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in Hamilton.

The nationally recognized City School model, which offers tuition-free programs, breaks down barriers and makes postsecondary education accessible to those who need it most, says Stipsits.

“It’s the greatest vehicle I have ever seen to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty.”

Branthaven’s donation with matched funding from Mohawk College’s partnerships and government funding allows for a $2-million, five-year workforce development plan to create and accelerate educational and employment pathways for people in marginalized communities into the residential construction sector.

The investment means more students will be able to access the training and resources that can lead to meaningful, family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades.

“City School is the first step, a point of entry into what can be a direct career path or ongoing education or apprenticeship training,” says Emily Ecker, Associate Dean of Community Partnerships and Learning.

City School has trained more than 4,000 students since its 2015 inception.

Stipsits, who graduated from the Architectural Technology program at Mohawk College in 1984, has been named a Distinguished Alumnus and a Distinguished Fellow of Mohawk College. He now leads Branthaven, which was founded by his parents Albert and Judith, in 1971.

“I have a strong affinity for Mohawk College. I never cease to be amazed at how many at Mohawk College are doing the right thing. They go the extra mile to help people in our community. They see a need and step up to help.”

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

The Insurance graduate is the second Mohawk College student in a row to win honours at the provincial and national levels.

Adam Longboat’s initiative around Truth and Reconciliation activities at his co-op placement helped to earn him provincial and national co-op student of the year awards for 2022.

Longboat, who has since graduated from Mohawk’s Insurance program, earned the awards through Experiential and Work Integrated Learning Ontario and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated 
Learning Canada.

Last year, Brittany Gaudet won both awards and Longboat is Mohawk’s third winner since the awards were instituted in 2010. Longboat, who is Indigenous, completed his co-op at Swiss Reinsurance in Toronto and made his mark there, said his nominator and supervisor, Dipika Deol.

“He surpassed the responsibilities of his role as a co-op student, contributing to other functional areas and to the evolution of our culture. Under our guidance as his manager and sponsor, Adam successfully applied himself, shaping his co-op term by proposing his own agenda, projects, and content for (inclusion and diversity) initiatives,” she wrote.

He played a key role in Swiss Reinsurance’s week of events to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. He invited elders to talk about residential schools and the history of the Haudenosaunee people.

Longboat also shared his own experiences with anti-Indigenous racism. “I just want people to understand where Indigenous people are coming from, why people feel hurt,” Longboat said in a Hamilton Spectator story about his co-op awards.

“I just want my kids to grow up in a world where people understand.” Among his other accomplishments during his co-op, he prepared a briefing document about permafrost in Canada and engaged with a treaty client to understand the historical and present context around insurance products for Indigenous communities.

“Adam has been very easy to get to know. He’s friendly, approachable and shares his thoughts and questions. He’s a strong team player,” wrote Deol.

Longboat, a father of two, came to Mohawk as a mature student after working as a welder. He was forced to look for another career after suffering a serious injury in an industrial accident. He was selected by his professors to represent students on the program advisory committee due to his academic performance, contributions in the classroom, and the respect he earned from his peers.

The provincial co-op award comes with $500 and the national award comes with $1,500. 

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

The Sports Information team documents athletic performances and aims to fill the bleachers.

As Mohawk College ramps up its varsity athletics performance, the Athletics department is ensuring the achievements of its athletes are well-documented.

Sports Information Coordinator Satbir Singh was hired in September 2021. He runs the Athletics website, manages all the social media platforms, liaises with external media, and oversees all the stories, photography, videos and news releases produced within the department.

That includes the work of two student journalists who write game recaps and managing the relationship with the Broadcast Media program whose students film home games. There are also student positions in photography, social media and graphic design.

Singh also contributes advance stories for high-profile games.

Singh, a Burlington native, worked at the student newspaper at Brock University for five years and served as a broadcaster for basketball and volleyball games. He then worked at a newspaper in Niagara for two years covering community news and politics.

The opportunity to focus on sports again drew him to the opportunity at Mohawk College.

“All my experiences in student positions were so valuable to me. It’s great to give those experiences to students at Mohawk.”

One of his hires is Alex Macdonell, a Health, Wellness and Fitness student, who is filming all home games and producing highly stylized highlight reel videos (also called hype videos) that are being widely shared on the Mohawk Mountaineers Instagram account.

It’s been a busy year. He’s often filming two games a week, which takes about five hours of time. Then sorting through footage and editing it together takes another 10 to 12 hours.

“I love videography so much that I will make sacrifices to do it. That usually means staying up late.”

Macdonell used money he’s earning to buy new cameras and a computer for his videography work. Wherever his career takes him, Macdonell knows videography will be a part of it.

“I’m investing in myself because I want to make videos my full-time job. I’m always thinking about new ideas for videos. I’d say 70 per cent of my energy and thoughts are about videos.”

Macdonell loves that his videos are shared by players, teams and spectators.

“If we can fill up the bleachers and if I am playing a role in that, I’m happy. My job is to show how good our athletes are. There is nothing like being there at the game.”

“We hope to see the excitement and energy of American collegiate athletics infused into the culture of Mohawk College,” says Singh.

“We are celebrating our student-athletes’ achievements and we want to show future students that Mohawk College is the place to come play.”

When the leaders at Branthaven Homes decided about a year ago they had to confront their labour shortage challenge head on, they turned to Mohawk College. 

The construction industry pays well and offers great career advancement opportunities, says Andrea Peckart, Vice President of Homeowner Relations. 

But it’s a day-to-day struggle to get workers on sites. Subtrades are dealing with their own staffing challenges and it’s not uncommon to hire a labourer who only shows up for a couple of days. 

The industry faces waves of retirement at a time when not enough young people are choosing trades, making this partnership critical in the short term and long term, says Peckart. 

The strategic collaboration with the Burlington-based homebuilder has multiple components, beginning with a survey of needs and challenges within the industry and then a workshop to explore potential solutions for recruitment and retention. 

Now an action plan is being formulated to connect and engage with future and prospective employees through open houses and job fairs and for a full review of all construction curriculum at the college. 

“We’ve been impressed with how engaged and receptive Mohawk is to working with us on workforce development and to making sure they are teaching what students need right now in the industry,” says Peckart, who is daughter of Branthaven founders Al and Judy Stipsits. 

“Branthaven knows the entire sector needs support and they are willing to be a leader in finding solutions alongside Mohawk College,” says Samara Young, Associate Dean of Building Systems and Sustainability. That portfolio covers 17 programs at the Marshall School of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship in Stoney Creek. 

“We are being responsive to the sector by taking a bigger, broader look at customized partnerships. We can do so much more when we work together.” 

A priority is to break negative perceptions of trades among educators, guidance counsellors and parents. 

“We have to change the stigma. Skilled trades shouldn’t be a fallback position but rather a goal,” says Sean Wadsworth, Branthaven’s Vice President of Homebuilder Operations. 

It’s critical to attract women. 

“Fifty per cent of the population aren’t really in the trades. Bringing the proportion of women up to the proportion of men in the industry would solve this problem in a broad stroke. Of course, that’s going to take time.” 

About half of the managers at Branthaven are women and the company is focused on spreading the message that construction is a welcoming place for women at all levels, says Peckart. 

Young says employers need support to adjust their recruitment and hiring operations to attract women, newcomers, international students and other equity-deserving groups. 

“Employers want to learn about equity, diversity and inclusion. They understand they are part of the solution. We can help them drill down to the students’ perspective, ask the tough questions and look clearly at the barriers that are in place. That is where we will get results.” 

Branthaven has already been working with City School by Mohawk on short-term training for those from underserved and marginalized groups to put them on a path to post-secondary education, apprenticeship or meaningful employment. 

Deepening relationships between employers and the College improves hiring outcomes and the Branthaven-Mohawk partnership will serve as a model for other employers facing talent shortages, says Young. 
“When employers come to our campus, spend time in our shops, talk to our faculty and spend time with students, that connection is invaluable.” 

At 51 years in business, Branthaven employs about 110 people and is building single-family homes, townhouses, condos and apartments from Markham to Niagara Falls to Cambridge. When subtrades are taken into account, Branthaven projects employ thousands, says Peckart. 

“We all need to work together to get the word out about jobs in the construction industry. It covers so many things, like sales, design, architecture, all the skilled trades on a job site. Construction is a big driver of jobs.” 
 

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.