Belleville, Ontario, September 9, 2013 – During the first week of school, Loyalist College recognized the first 15 recipients of The W. Garfield Weston Fellowship, which provides financial support to help students and apprentices train for and succeed in Skilled Trades careers. The pilot project is designed to help Program participants to complete their education at Loyalist by offering tuition credits from the College, and bursary funding from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. During the three-year program, a total of $240,000 will be available to 30 post-secondary students and 30 apprentices.
The first five Automotive Service Technician apprentices include:
Andrew Flynn, Madoc
Benjamin Chase, Joyceville
Joshua Andrews, Peterborough
Malcolm Crawford, Kingston
William Joyce, Peterborough
The first ten post-secondary Skilled Trades students include:
| Dillon McIntyre, Churchill | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| Michael Boyle, Trenton | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| Nathan Conboy, Roslin | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| Kent McIlmoyle, Peterborough | Manufacturing Engineering Technician |
| Nicholas Sweetman, Kingston | Manufacturing Engineering Technician |
| Nathan Orr, Warkworth | Mechanical Techniques |
| Dalton Berry-Steacy, Lynhurst | Motive Power Technician – Service & Management |
| Hailey Megraw, Glenburnie | Welding and Fabrication Technician |
| Ian Vasseur-Baril, Ottawa | Welding and Fabrication Technician |
| Natalie Stallaert, Campbellford | Welding and Fabrication Technician |
“As the first group in The W. Garfield Weston Fellowship Program, you are pioneers,” said Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy to the recipients. “Ontario needs the Skilled Trades expertise that you will gain from our faculty in the new Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, as well as on the job. Your apprenticeship and program pathways will lead to a wonderful range of career options. The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a prestigious organization and their commitment to you and investment in this program is proof that it will be successful. Congratulations on this fantastic opportunity and all the best in the year ahead.”
The goal of the Program is to provide incentives for students to go beyond a one-year certificate to earn a diploma or complete apprenticeship training. In January, an additional five apprentices will join the Program for a total of 20 students within the 2013/14 academic year. Apprenticeships are work-based training programs that blend on-the-job and in-class training through Loyalist College.
“My mother and I were thrilled when we learned that I was chosen to be part of The W. Garfield Weston Fellowship Program,” said Hailey Megraw, first-year Welding and Fabrication student. “I feel very fortunate and excited. I took welding classes in high school and have become very passionate about the field. When I was accepted into this pilot project I took it as a sign that I was meant to pursue welding as a career.”
Automotive Service Technician apprentice Benjamin Chase added, “This bursary will help me with tuition and the cost of books and transportation to class, which is an hour from home. It will help me achieve my goal of becoming a successful Automotive Service Technician. I am very eager to learn and to share the knowledge that I have with others.”
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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 bakeries and other successful enterprises throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. Today, these businesses include the George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited, companies in food retailing, processing and distribution. 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 science in Canada’s North.
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. The best testament to the College’s value is from students, 96 percent of whom say they would recommend Loyalist to a friend. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.
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Loyalist College Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations; (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235; dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca
Loyalist College Awards Contact: Joanne Farrell, Awards Officer; 613-969-1913 ext. 2202;