Support Ontario Youth Scholarships

“This scholarship will help me in my apprenticeship by relieving part of the financial stress of being a "mature" apprentice with young children, a mortgage and the cost of going back to school. It will help me to pay off some of the debt I have incurred paying for books, tuition, parking pass, etc. It will also allow me to focus more on doing well in school and setting a good example academically for my kids. Any time of the year, I would be very grateful to receive a scholarship, but especially going into the Christmas season, receiving this scholarship would allow me a little more financial freedom to celebrate the holidays with my kids and family.” – Steve H

“Thank you so much, Support Ontario Youth, for helping with my education and apprenticeship! SOY helped to give me the opportunity to find a great career path in a high-demand trade.” – Jolene M

“This scholarship would help me greatly. It would be used for tuition for my Advanced Plumbing Techniques course and allow me to focus on my studies better by having to worry less about Employment Insurance. I also just got married on November 19th, 2022, so anything helps! Thank you!” – Jesse L

“This scholarship will help me to continue my education and broaden my expertise in the electrical field. I had to take a substantial financial step back in order to do this, so this money will greatly help me and my family.” – Bill T

“This scholarship will really help with the cost of my textbooks for my level 2. It will also help me upgrade my tools and improve the quality of my work and further my learning.” – Adam M

“This scholarship will help me greatly to accomplishing my goals to become a red seal millwright. I am really grateful to have been chosen for this opportunity and would like to thank you all.” – Pamela B

“I’m incredibly thankful to SOY for selecting me for this scholarship. The transition from working into school financially has been a lot more difficult than expected and receiving this scholarship will definitely alleviate the stress.” – Tyler J

“This scholarship means a lot to me because attending school is a tough time financially. Any extra income greatly helps to alleviate the deficit in wages. This scholarship will help in moving me one step closer to becoming a licensed plumber.” – Jayson H

“I am extremely thankful to have such a strong support group in Support Ontario Youth, who have been further propelling me in my goal to become a highly proficient electrician. They’ve helped me at all turns in my career, and being given the scholarship will only encourage me further in my journey. Words cannot express my gratitude!” – Daniel S

“Thank you to SOY for providing me with this scholarship. With this assistance, some financial burden is lifted as I continue to pursue the completion of my apprenticeship program. Nothing seems to be getting cheaper these days, so anything extra is always welcomed.” – Chad L

“I am so overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive the Support Ontario Youth Education Scholarship. I am honoured to be recognized and encouraged on the path into my Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems journey with this award. Many hours went into getting to this point and I look forward to all the strides I will make moving forward. Receiving this award will help tremendously towards paying for additional post-secondary study fees, such as books, gas, or any tools that might better assist me in shop classes, while the cost-of-living climbs increasingly higher. Juggling being a wife and mother of two young ones at home, working during the day, and attending classes at night, this scholarship is just one less thing to worry about. Thank you Support Ontario Youth!”

“This scholarship provided to me by Support Ontario Youth is extremely beneficial for me. The scholarship will ensure that the costs necessary to go to school can be accounted for, which, in turn, allows me to advance my career in Plumbing. This funding will aid in textbook costs, which accumulate and take away from my ability to spend money on other costs needed for schooling, such as parking, school supplies, gas, and tools. SOY's funding will allow me to disperse my funds adequately and pay for everything necessary for my schooling.”

“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me in terms of taking another step towards my education. It is not easy to afford the cost of gas, tools, and the overall living cost as an apprentice. Having this money will help me significantly with my schooling and related expenses. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you SOY and OEL! ”

“I am so thankful for scholarships like Support Ontario Youth as you don't always realize how fast the cost of tuition, textbooks, tools and daily living start to add up. Receiving this scholarship lessens the financial burden and allows me to focus on completing my goal of becoming a journeyperson.”

“A heartfelt thank you to SOY and Glenda for everything they have done in helping with my apprenticeship. The team at SOY have been a great asset in guiding me through my apprenticeship and making the tools available for my success. The $500 scholarship is greatly appreciated and will help with EI while in school and the additional cost created due to covid. It is a comfort to know that supports have been made available to the people following a career in the trades. Thanks for the support and the much needed financial assistance to help cover part of the schooling.”

“Thank you to SOY for providing me and the others chosen with this scholarship. This financial assistance helps me afford to take time off from work to attend trade school and advance my career. I am grateful that this scholarship exists. These types of programs are part of what encouraged me to pursue an apprenticeship and I am so happy that I did!”

“This scholarship helps make my education even more affordable and accessible. As the industry is experiencing a shortage of trades people, especially millwrights, initiatives like this help fill that gap.”

“I am very grateful to receive the Support Ontario Youth Education Scholarship. Not only will it help me pay for textbooks, but it will also help me pay for living accommodations. It is important to support youth in the trades as they work towards building our future.”

“I am very grateful to have won this scholarship from SOY. As a mechanic apprentice, it’s great to see this type of support for tradespeople. Not being able to work while attending school was tough, but having this support to put towards my next round of schooling is amazing. I’m very thankful to work in the trades and have the ability to support my family. Thank you SOY for this opportunity and scholarship!”

“This scholarship will help me stock up on new tools, such as new linesman tools and properly insulated boots.”

“I am beyond thankful to SOY and the OEL for everything they've done for me in my apprenticeship. I couldn't be more grateful for Glenda and the rest of the team for helping me obtain the certification(s) and getting into school which was previously proving to be a challenge to me. This $500 scholarship comes at a perfect time as I'm currently on EI while in school and this will help me re-coop the expensive textbook costs! thanks again to SOY and the OEL for choosing me!” – Brad B

“I am very grateful to have won this education scholarship. It means a lot to me because as an apprentice electrician who is in the early parts of my career, every dollar counts and any opportunity to put some more money aside for my schooling is a great help. Throughout my apprenticeship while I attend school, I am unable to work and have to pay for the courses out of my own pocket so having this extra bit of financial support is very important and extremely appreciated” - Ethan W.

“I'm very excited to receive this scholarship since it will go along way to help me cover the cost of my textbooks and the course fee. I am in the Intermediate Block for 309A 309A Electrical Construction and am very excited to continue my education but I don't need any more stress from the costs of being at school. Thanks SOY for this scholarship!” - Garrison O

“Receiving the Support Ontario Youth education scholarship means a lot to me. I have been signed with SOY for my whole apprenticeship so far, and they have made my apprenticeship terms incredibly easier to manage. Furthermore, this grant that I have been so privileged in receiving will further assist me on my apprenticeship. The grant makes it easier for me to pay for the textbooks, commuting costs, and other expenses that will accumulate over the span of my school term. I would like to thank SOY for this opportunity and support.” - Henry C.

“I am honored to have been selected to receive this grant, it is really encouraging to know that there is this support for people looking to enter the trades, and it's important for people to know this too so that people can be incentivized to join the trades and the trades can continue to thrive and the labor shortages can be put to an end. The money is really helpful especially in the trades where tools are such a expensive factor like in my trade as a automotive service technician. It also helps offset the cost of time of work needed for school, and fuel especially with the prices being so high.” - Jaydon V.

“It means a lot receiving this $500, it will definitely help so much with the tuition fees and buying new textbooks. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this grant.” - Jeanette C.

“I cannot express enough how much this helps me - the cost of tools/clothing can be very expensive during the first year and with winter coming this financial support will allow me to ensure I am warm this winter! Although my pre-apprenticeship was costly, it was worth it to do something I am passionate about and fall in love with more and more every day. The first few apprenticeship years, coupled with the cost of schooling, have upfront costs that will all be worth it one day but most assuredly can be hard to overcome when first starting off. Because the government grants are not made available to apprentices until they have completed their first year (and sometimes not until second year as the first in class component must also have been completed to apply) the SOY scholarship helps us get over the first year “hump”. Thank you, thank you!!! ” - Jill S.

“It means a lot to receive a scholarship for my next level of schooling. As an apprentice, tools, gas, and the cost of living can be pretty expensive; especially inflation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Not having to worry about paying my tuition is a huge sigh of relief because the costs add up. I am thankful for the scholarship opportunities Support Ontario Youth has to offer, as well as the Ontario Electrical League for providing independent contractors with incentives to hire young electrical apprentices in a low-risk environment. Hiring a first-year apprentice is not cost effective for independent employers, therefore adding additional support is beneficial for them especially on hiring women in the trades.” - Kennedy M.

“Winning the scholarship is really good news. I'm really happy to have been selected for this award, it means a lot. Hard work has paid off and I would like to thank SOY for giving me a chance and to take me for the program. Thanks for believing in me. This grant is going to help me pay for my level 2 in Electrical. Plus, it will allow me to put money aside since I'll be in school. Thank you again!” - Marc-André P.

“This grant means a lot to me as it helped financially to pursue my career as well provide for my family back home during my training to purchase books and supplies! Thank you SOY! ” - Nolan V.

"I feel so very blessed to be a part of SOY. I feel like this organization gave me an opportunity during those dark times when I was struggling with finding mental and moral support. The great team at SOY not only provides all the support that apprentices need, but they are there to show that they care about us and help make the process a lot of easier for us. Thank you"

"I would like to thank you for your generous Ontario Youth Scholarship. I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected and the recipient of your scholarship. I am a 5th year apprentice at Bergeron Electric LTD. and currently in my second level of schooling at Algonquin College. I plan to follow my father’s footsteps and one day be the owner of Bergeron. By awarding me with the Ontario Youth Scholarship you have lightened my financial load while I pursue my schooling. I hope one day to be able to help others just as you helped me."

"I would like to thank Support Ontario Youth for the scholarship. It is a welcome surprise in what has otherwise been a challenging year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, affecting work for myself and many others. The money means one less thing to worry about when in school and I am looking forward to class and the opportunities that will come after."

"School and its associated costs can be a lot to handle and this will really help. So, thank you! It’s really appreciated!"

"I would like to thank Support Ontario Youth. It means so much to me to win this Scholarship. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch lately, so winning something like this relieves a bit of stress off my shoulders and gives me some much needed relief knowing that I won’t have to worry about my tuition fee and where I’m going to get that money."

"When I received SOY's scholarship email I was ecstatic it meant a lot to me. It meant I had one less thing to worry about and, in my life that's a big deal. I have a million things going on all the time, being a dad is busy! Thank you so much SOY, you have been a huge step in my success!"

"Receiving this scholarship is recognition of all the hard work and dedication that goes into a trade apprenticeship. I am grateful to receive it, and proud to be a part of. I'd like to thank SOY for offering support to skilled trade workers. We often get neglected, but it's nice to have support for all the hard work we do!"

"Winning this scholarship has given me an inundation of pride in my hard work through my apprenticeship, and I hope to carry that same pride and hard work through a very fulfilling career."

"While contemplating the high cost of getting some much needed tools, I received an email from SOY informing me that I have been selected for the scholarship. I am honoured and thankful to the SOY organization and its people for helping promote the trades the way they do. SOY have come through for me every time I needed help. To all the future and present apprentices, I highly recommend applying to this scholarship because every little bit helps."

"Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me especially during this pandemic. I'm glad we have these scholarships to help encourage us (apprentices) to continue in this career path. Thank you SOY for encouraging us to continue and for always being our backbone when we need help or have any questions."

"I am very grateful to receive the Support Ontario Youth scholarship. This will allow me to better prepare for the last steps of my electrical apprenticeship, helping me pay for extra Code training and any extra resources I may need in completing my apprenticeship. Support Ontario Youth is a great organization to be a part of and I would recommend it to any apprentice."

"I'm thankful to have the opportunity to receive the SOY scholarship. It means a lot to me. It's nice to be recognized for my accomplishments and this will definitively help me through my education. It's financially hard to attend school when you are used to having a full-time job. I believe that it will motivate me to learn and become a better mechanic."

"I'd like to thank Support Ontario Youth for awarding me this scholarship. Getting funds together to go back to school can be very stressful and I'm happy to have one less stressful thing to worry about when going back."

"It is not easy getting through an apprenticeship, especially while having to go to school periodically. Thanks to the Support Ontario Youth program, I am able to focus more on schooling and less on tuition fees. Thank you!"

"I would like to thank Support Ontario Youth for all of the time and effort that they put into making sure apprentices are getting the proper training they need and offering help when it is needed. I would also like to thank them for helping eliminate one of the many out of pocket expenses required for apprentices attending trade school."

"Receiving this award is an honour. I know being in school, money can be tight and this will go a long way to help catch up on a few bills. Whatever I have remaining, I plan to use the money to purchase tools in the trade. I'm very grateful."

"I'm very thankful to receive the Support Ontario Youth Scholarship. It is very encouraging to me that I am on the right track pursuing a career in the electrical field. It is very rewarding to be recognized for my accomplishments and I am on my way to writing my Certificate of Qualification."

"It has been an honour to receive this scholarship -- not only has it helped me financially, but I have worked hard to achieve these goals and it motivates me to continue to do so."

"Thank you Support Ontario Youth (SOY) for this grant! It comes at a time when I’m in Level 3 school (Day Release), and things have been slow at work. This grant helps a LOT, as there is no financial support for those in Day Release. I’m very grateful to the people at SOY for their ongoing help in navigating the apprenticeship process, and looking forward to completing my apprenticeship within the next 9 months. "

"Being awarded this scholarship means a lot to me because it helps with the transition from working to trying to better myself by working in the trades and having to go to school. It helps cover the costs that start to add up while attending school. I'm very appreciative and can’t wait to continue the growth of an apprentice over the next few years. Thank you Support Ontario Youth."

"I would like to thank everyone for this opportunity. Receiving this scholarship has a great effect on showing how hard work and determination can pay off. I am honored to be one of the 10 electrical recipients. I am currently in my fifth semester at Cambrian college for the electrical engineering technology program. After graduation I will be eagerly seeking an apprenticeship towards my field of studies. Also receiving this scholarship will help relieve any of the financial strain incurred allowing me to better focus on my studies. Once again thank you for the opportunity at receiving the Support Ontario Youth scholarship."

"Receiving the SOY scholarship award means some much needed financial relief to me in helping to pay my way through my apprenticeship schooling as well as prove that my hard work is being recognized. I feel that often those who pursue an apprenticeship over a strictly n class degree or diploma program are often overlooked for many awards and scholarships. I am very appreciative and proud to be the recipient of any award that is supporting Ontario's youth in moving toward their educational goals and future. Thank you for selecting me for this scholarship."

"Thank you SOY for selecting me for this scholarship. I was really excited to hear back from this organization. With this scholarship you are helping me fulfill my dreams of becoming an electrician and working toward more supervisory roles. I plan on using this money to help fund the purchase of books to further my learning goals. Thank you so much for this Scholarship. Cheers."

"Personally, as a female in a trade, to have the ontario government offer me their support is truly revolutionary! I really hope more women start to challenge the patriarchy involved with gender roles in the workplace enviroments everywhere, not just the automotive industry! I love and look forward to, consistantly, everyday, proving to men that yes, a '100 lbs. girl' can do everything they can. (Maybe even better, we do have attention to detail afterall!)."

"I would like to say that I am honoured to receive the Support Ontario Youth Scholarship. After going through a couple of years of university myself before realizing that was not my path it is good to know their are organizations like Support Ontario Youth out there promoting the trades and helping apprentices get the training they need. If I had found SOY earlier then I would be a lot further ahead than I am now."

"Receiving this scholarship is such an honour and encourages me to continue to strive to do the best that I can. This scholarship also allows me to use the money I would have paid tuition to now be put towards tools. The new tools will help me be more efficient in my hands on component of my apprenticeship. Overall, in receiving this scholarship it affirms my confidence in my abilities and will continue to set me up for success."

"I’m honoured to have been chosen to receive the SOY scholarship. It is always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments and the money from the scholarship will definitely help offset the costs of attending school. Post-secondary school is more expensive than ever and every little bit towards tuition and books is a great help. This scholarship and the support this organization provides is not something I had heard of before applying, but I will definitely recommend it to others and those looking for more help entering the apprenticeship field. "

"It was a proud moment for me. It's not all about the money, it's about the reward that I am getting for all my hard-work and passion towards my studies. This scholarship will boost me to crack more challenges in life. It will help me to build confidence and enthusiasm for success. In short, I feel like I am on cloud nine!"

"This scholarship will help with my budget during trade school, and it will allow me to replace some broken and lost tools I have accumulated during my apprenticeship. The Support Ontario Youth scholarship will help me be less stressed about my financial situation and more focused on the classroom training. My apprenticeship is a great opportunity for a career but it does require a period of financial planning while I am building my skills, and it is support like this that helps me achieve my goals. Without all the support I have been given I doubt I'd be able to suceed as I have thus far in my apprenticeship."

"I am very thankful and appreciative to receive the SOY scholarship. It means a lot and will be very helpful with financial support around schooling as I am use to a full time job to pay my bills. Thank you very much Support Ontario Youth."

"I would like to thank you for this opportunity. This scholarship will help me to purchase more tools in which I can use to better myself in this career! "

"Receiving this award means a lot to me because its going to allow me to focus more on my work and what I love to do without stressing about money and my studies. I believe receiving this award will allow me to focus more on school therefore hopefully resulting in me furthering my career."

"I was thrilled when I found out I had been selected to receive the Support Ontario Youth Scholarship. Attending school can sometimes put a strain on your bank account so this money will go along way in helping my wife and me who have two young kids. My son Corben who is 3 and my daughter Emma who is 7 months. I will highly recommend applying for this scholarship to younger apprentices I know. Thanks!! This is greatly appreciated."

"Winning this scholarship affords me the opportunity to stress a great deal less. Unfortunately along with the vast knowledge that comes from going to post secondary school, fees are always tagging along. Although there is help through OSAP, fees are still due. This scholarship means a great deal to me as it allows me to worry less about my family helping me financially but it allows me to focus more on school. My 13 year old brother was recently diagnosed with diabetes. A great deal of emotional stress fell over my parents as well as financial stress. This scholarship allows myself and more importantly my parents to feel more relaxed and at peace, and for that I thank you immensely."

"I am the first person in my family to attempt to work in the trades. My whole life I wanted to work in an exciting, fast paced workplace. This scholarship reinforced my belief that trades are the way to go in terms of career opportunities and that all my hard work in school has been more than worth the effort. It is nice to see my efforts rewarded. I would encourage high school students to explore options in the trades and encourage all current apprentices to look into the scholarship options made available to them."

"I'm thankful to SOY that gives me the opportunity and acceptance to SOY's scholarship. It means a lot to me. Life could be challenging sometimes. To be recognized and supported by SOY makes me feel like to give it my best in achieving my goals and be able to give back to the community. Thank SOY for support."

"This scholarship means the world to me. Trying to organize your finances while away at trade school is seemingly impossible. Thank you so much to SOY for selecting me! It's pretty great to realize how much support is available for younger apprentices! If it weren't for the generosity of my sponsor and organizations like SOY then furthering my post-secondary education would be very, very hard."

"Receiving this scholarship from SOY means a lot because it helps support me while I'm away at trades college. Also, it shows recognition for the young tradespeople and the costs that come with the trade. Thank you so much for selecting me to be honoured with the scholarship, this will go a long way!"