10 Georgian College skilled trades students awarded 'life-changing' scholarships

Georgian College students were named recipients of the prestigious Schulich Builders Scholarships. (Supplied)

Ten Georgian College students received Canada's largest skilled trades scholarship to help cover tuition, tools and living expenses.

The Schulich Builders scholarship awarded $20,000 to each student for every year of their programs, totalling $300,000 in funding.

The program was created to address the growing need for skilled trades workers across the country.

"Our challenge today is not having enough of these talented people to meet the demand," noted Judy Schulich, executive vice president of The Schulich Foundation.

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Out of 350,000 eligible candidates, over 1,000 students were nominated, and 120 received the scholarship this year, including two from Orillia and two from Barrie.

"The Schulich Builders scholarships are the largest privately funded scholarships in the history of Georgian. It will have a life-changing effect on the students who are pursuing a career in the skilled trades, and having spent time with our recipients, I know how much it means to them," stated Georgian College's President and CEO, Kevin Weaver.

Along with financial support, the scholarship program offers students hands-on guidance, job recruitment preparation, and connections to employers in the skilled trades industry.