The W. Garfield Weston Foundation creates more trades education opportunities at Durham College Posted on February 13, 2015 at 12:41 pm. Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) today announced that The W. Garfield Weston Foundation (The Foundation) will donate up to $462,000 in financial assistance to Durham Region students attending Red Seal skilled trades programs at the college over the next five years through The Foundation’s Skilled Trades Awards Project. In addition, the college will contribute $198,000 in additional funding for a total commitment of $660,000. Dedicated to individuals for whom undertaking this training would not be possible without the mentoring and financial support provided by this scholarship, each award recipient will receive $5,000 per year of study: $1,500 to help cover the cost of tuition and $3,500 as a stipend to help with other expenses including food, travel, books, tools and supplies. Oshawa Community Health Centre (OCHC), a non-profit, charitable organization that offers free family medicine, counselling and a variety of health promotion and community development programs, is working with DC to select students for application and enrolment in skilled trades programs that align with their interests in areas of need within the skilled labour-market. “We are delighted to be supporting this unique program with Durham College and the OCHC,” said Eliza Mitchell, director, The Foundation. “We believe this funding will attract committed individuals who otherwise would not have the opportunity to undertake this training to build lasting and fulfilling careers in the skilled trades.” “We are grateful to The W. Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous support,” said Lee Kierstead, executive director, OCHC. “We are so pleased to be partnering with Durham College. This initiative supports our mission of empowering residents to improve their physical, emotional and social well-being by overcoming a major social determinant of health – education.” The awards program, one of a number supported by the Foundation, was established to increase the number of skilled trades workers who possess the expertise to succeed in technologically demanding occupations while providing solutions for employers in hiring the skilled workforce needed for today’s competitive economy. “On behalf of everyone at Durham College, in particular our skilled trades students, I extend my sincere thanks to The W. Garfield Weston Foundation for its significant financial support of our students and in turn, the next generation of skilled trades workers in Ontario,” said David Chambers, associate vice-president, Office of Development, DC. “These generous and innovative awards will help to alleviate the financial burden of more than 60 students, helping the college meet its ongoing commitment to provide the best post-secondary learning experience possible.” Students are trained by experienced, trade-certified professors at the college’s state-of-the-art Skilled Trades Centre, located at the Whitby campus, which offers more than 270,000 square feet of shop, class and student services space. Prospective students who are interested in achieving valuable qualifications in the skilled trades in order to pursue rewarding careers and who may benefit from receiving this award can visit www.durhamcollege.ca/westonfoundation for more information. Applicants are encouraged to contact Ana Pacheco-Rye, OCHC, at 905.723.0036 ext. 227; or Jeff Dart, OCHC, at 905.723.0036 ext. 228; or Elaine Catell, DC Student Awards office, at 905.721.2000 ext. 2429 or studentawards@durhamcollege.ca. -30- About Durham College At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2014, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market. A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was completed in 2013 when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, event management, food science, and agricultural and horticultural programs, the CFF features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching-inspired restaurant and Pantry, a retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs. For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000. About The W. Garfield Weston Foundation The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924 Garfield inherited his father’s company and during his life established baking and retail businesses throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. The founders believed that as the funds are generated through the hard work and success of these Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in the fields of land conservation, education, and scientific research in Canada’s North. In addition, it provides funds to further Canada’s research in neuroscience. About OCHC Oshawa Community Health Centre is a non-profit charitable organization and a leader in community health services and programs. Its mission is to empower residents to improve their physical, emotional and social well-being. The Centre is proud to celebrate over 32 years of dedication to building a stronger and healthier community through its key message of “Your Wellness, Our Mission”. The health centre’s services are free and include: family medicine, counselling, diabetes education services, Hepatitis C support services, a Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Team, Aboriginal programs and a variety of health promotion and community development programs. Oshawa Community Health Centre is fully accredited through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation. For more information regarding Oshawa Community Health Centre, please go online to www.ochc.ca Media contacts: Durham College Krista Luxton Durham College 905.721.2000 ext. 2333 krista.luxton@durhamcollege.ca Oshawa Community Health Centre Paula Carter 905.723.0036 ext. 229 pcarter@ochc.ca SHARE:
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