The BOLT Foundation, in partnership with Support Ontario Youth (SOY), is awarding three more scholarships totaling $1,500 as part of the BOLT Women in Construction Trades scholarship. 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.

Female apprentices make up only 4.8% of new apprentice registrations, with only 2% those actually completing their apprenticeships. Furthermore, the pandemic disproportionately affected women’s employment – they are 10 times more likely to have fallen off the labour force than men. With Ontario facing a substantial skilled trades shortage, there is an important opportunity to encourage more women to start their careers in construction. Through this partnership, BOLT and SOY have taken a proactive approach to help recruit and retain more young women in the construction skilled trades.

Samara Sampson is a sheet metal worker and a recent recipient of the scholarship, which 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. 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. Thank you, BOLT & SOY, for selecting me as a recipient of this amazing scholarship and the continued support you bring to women in the trades.”

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 (RTA), be a member in good standing with the OCOT (Ontario College of Trades), and live in the Greater Toronto Area. The application is now open and the deadline for submissions is December 31, 2021.

“Too few women self-select into these in-demand and well-compensated careers and that needs to change. Together with SOY, we are here to provide the information, support, and financial assistance that will help them be successful in a rewarding career in the industry,” says Raly Chakarova, Executive Director of the BOLT Foundation.

“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” says 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,” said Sell.

The successful applicants will be announced in January 2022. For more information and to apply for the scholarship, please visit www.supportontarioyouth.ca/scholarships/.

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