Applications open for BOLT Women in construction scholarship

TORONTO—Applications are now being accepted for the BOLT Women in Construction Trades Scholarship, presented by the BOLT Foundation, in partnership with Support Ontario Youth (SOY).

Three more scholarships totalling $1,500 will be awarded and the successful recipients will also be paired with a female mentor from their own or similar trade to help provide additional support, share their experience and advice on advancing in the industry, indicates a release. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31 and successful applicants will be announced in January 2022.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must identify as women between 17 and 29 years of age, be able to demonstrate a financial need, hold a valid registered trade agreement and live in the Greater Toronto Area. 

Samara Sampson, a sheet metal worker and a recent recipient of the scholarship, said it helped her cover her final classroom training costs and make the transition into becoming a journeyperson.

“It is especially meaningful to me just knowing the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship is even available,” she said in a statement. “It reminds me that there is support and there are people who believe in us as tradeswomen. As I near the end of my apprenticeship this scholarship is going to be a great financial help to me.”

The goal of the partnership is to take a proactive approach to help recruit and retain more young women in the construction skilled trades, adds the release.

“Women make up half of Canada’s workforce, yet there is a perception that they can’t work in construction trades because it may be too physically demanding,” said Stephen Sell, executive director for Support Ontario Youth. “We want to help break that stereotype by not only supporting but empowering these women in construction. This partnership and scholarship are to help address and remove barriers that might help pave the way of achieving these trailblazer’s dreams.”

For more information visit www.supportontarioyouth.ca/scholarships/.