“The learning experience through the job shadowing program was incredible. Working with the Deltera team was amazing as they were great mentors and showed me the ropes throughout the week. I gained valuable insight into the daily operations of the site and was impressed by the dedication and passion of everyone I met. I feel that this experience has given me a better understanding of what to expect in my future career in construction management.”

“The learning experience through the job shadowing program was incredible. Working with the Deltera team was amazing as they were great mentors and showed me the ropes throughout the week. I gained valuable insight into the daily operations of the site and was impressed by the dedication and passion of everyone I met. I feel that this experience has given me a better understanding of what to expect in my future career in construction management.”

“Since my late teens, I’ve been completely on my own. I’ve always had more than one job just to make ends meet and have food on my table and my bills and rent paid. I was in a dark place where I felt like I would never be enough for this world.

Since the Hammer Heads program, I have a new view of myself – I have confidence and I’m smiling again on a daily basis. Money is no longer an issue which takes A LOT of stress and depression out of my life. It’s amazing to wake up or go to bed not worrying about if I’ll be able to eat for that week or not. No one should ever have to go through that. I am extremely thankful that they realized my worth when no one else did. Every day that I get up, I look forward to going to work in this uplifting, inspiring, and EMPOWERING trade.

For anyone thinking about a career in construction, know that construction isn’t a walk in the park but it’s a walk worth taking! If you enjoy the construction environment, get yourself out there and don’t sell yourself short! Get those hands dirty and show the world what you have in store for it!!”

“It has been about a year since receiving the BOLT Financial Award and my life and career have changed for the better. BOLT not only provided me with the financial resources to successfully focus and complete the school year, but also provided me with the opportunity to start my career in the construction industry.

Before the BOLT program, life as a student was quite difficult, especially when balancing between work and full time studies. There were certain moments when finishing the school year seemed impossible. The scholarship allowed me to take some time off work and give full attention to my studies. As a result of that, I achieved two honours awards at my school within two semesters. This is an achievement that would not have been possible without the scholarship.

My advice to any youth thinking about choosing a career in construction is to go for it. Go for it and learn as much as you can. From my experience, I’ve learned that so much more goes into construction than what we physically see. Every day on site or even working behind the scenes is an opportunity to learn something new and not many careers can offer that same experience.”

“Before connecting with BOLT, I was working night shifts at a grocery store. I wanted to make a change in my line of work, but I didn’t know where to start. I knew I was interested in becoming a Plumber, but it was extremely difficult to find a way into the industry. Every email I sent out to plumbing employers was never returned.

BOLT’s Job Shadowing program gave me an opportunity to see several different trades and what type of work is done on site. BOLT gave me an opportunity to develop myself, my skills, and my life as a whole. My life has changed tremendously for the better and I have opportunities to learn new things everyday. Because of BOLT I was able to establish a career in the trades and start my plumbing apprenticeship with a great company. Now, I’m also enrolled in the Gas Technician 3 course so that I can obtain my gas license.”

“Awesome diversity of women in your panel.”

“The presentation was very well made and informed me of how people belong within the construction industry or any industry in general and we should not let gender norms decide our path in life.”

“Very insightful information about the career options in tech and construction.”

“The financial assistance you provided me will be of great help to me in paying my educational expenses, and it will allow me to concentrate more of my time on studying. This financial assistance will break so many barriers and obstacles that were in my way, preventing me from reaching my highest abilities. Thank you again for your generosity and support. I am beyond grateful and truly humbled. I promise you I will work very hard to become the person that I always dreamed of becoming.”

“I am sincerely honoured to have been chosen to receive the BOLT scholarship. I was grateful and appreciative to learn that I was selected and the recipient of your scholarship. By awarding me with the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on school and will positively impact my future career and prospects. Therefore, I will work hard to achieve success. Thank you again for your generous support.”

“It is especially meaningful to me just knowing the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship is even available. 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. I am currently laid off for my last block of in class training, and I am now able to take a few extra days off at the end to study for my red seal exam and prepare to become a Journeyperson. Thank you BOLT, Tridel & Support Ontario Youth (SOY) for selecting me as a recipient of this amazing scholarship and the continued support you bring to women in the trades.”

“What I liked best about the event was how well coordinated and engaging it was. Everyone at Tridel who helped to facilitate the tour was very kind, open to questions and were very helpful. They created a comfortable environment for all the participants which helped to maximize how much knowledge I could takeaway from the event.”

“Being able to see units that weren’t near completion to units that were near completion. It helped me understand what comes first and the different steps that need to be taken in construction prior to moving on to the next step.”

“The best part about the BOLT event was the tour taken with the project manager. It’s a career choice I’m very interested in, so getting to understand what’s it’s like for such a massive project was fantastic. Listening to him explain to us the steps needed for various sections of the project and seeing the before of something great was fascinating. The kindness I received from the George Brown counsellors was a plus as well!”

“What I liked best about the event was how informative, kind and passionate everyone who helped facilitate the event was. Everyone was welcoming and engaging with the participants as they created a comfortable space for us to ask questions. This helped me to gain the most out of the event, and leave with a better understanding of the construction process.”

“The best part about job shadowing was the tour taken with the project manager. It’s a career choice I’m now very interested in, so getting to understand what it’s like for such a massive project like The Well was fantastic. Listening to him explain to us the steps needed for various sections of the project and seeing the before of something great was fascinating.”

“What I enjoyed the most was being able to see what trades I wanted to see and know more about, especially not knowing anything about them at all. I personally would recommend job shadowing to interested candidates because, based on my experience in the BOLT program, I got to learn actual lifelong skills and knowledge that I would need for my future career. I got to meet, learn from and work with amazingly skilled people.”

“Everyone was extremely kind and willing to teach and show me as much as possible. When it comes to looking to work in the trades, I now know for a fact that anything that has to do with hands on work is something that I want to pursue as my career. After the program, BOLT helped me enrol into the Hammer Heads program and now I’m working as a rodworker with Local 721.”

“Through job shadowing, one person stood out to me – a Health and Safety Specialist. Cheryl was extremely kind and knowledgeable, and I admired the fact that she was a woman working in construction. She truly inspired me while I shadowed her on site. After the program I was hired as a site administrator and 10 months later I was promoted to Health and Safety Specialist. As a result of BOLT, I was introduced to people and opportunities I did not think were possible for me. This program has given me an opportunity to better my life and the lives of those around me.”

“I just want to thank you for running this scholarship. I love how it did not just look at academic achievements but you as an overall person. It gives people like me an opportunity to succeed in college and beyond.”

“I am very grateful and honoured for receiving your scholarship. I hope that with the education I have earned, I can become a successful and a well-known Project Manager. If the situation ever rises in the future where I can be of assistance to your company, just remember I am forever in your debt and will gladly help the partners that held my hand throughout this entire journey.”

“Thank you very much again for your generosity, support, and investment in my education. This award is changing people’s lives and it would not be possible without you. I guarantee you that I will work extremely hard and give back something back to others in the future. Your generosity has inspired me to do so.”

“This scholarship gives me the opportunity to pursue a new education pathway which I enjoy and will hopefully bring much benefit overall. As a passionate person towards the environment, becoming an architect will provide me the chance to give towards our community by helping to build and promote more sustainable buildings. My goal is to help make the society we live in more environmentally friendly, while maintaining a comfortable and safe setting for all.”

“I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected to receive this scholarship and your generous contribution will help me pay for my tuition and expenses for the academic year. As a fourth-year student in the Construction Management program at George Brown College, I have had the opportunity to study various aspects of the construction industry. I aspire to continue to further my studies and obtain a Master’s Degree in the construction industry. Without a doubt, this scholarship will play a key role in achieving my educational dreams.”

“BOLT has helped me determine what I really want to do when I finish my program.”

“The kids learn about what it’s like to be a landscape architect or designer and they see a whole new world of possibility in terms of where they can go with their future.”