Bursary funds to attract students to promising construction careers
Anthem Properties partners with NAIT to provide $500,000 to support skilled trades and construction bursaries
Canada’s construction industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled tradespeople. To help address that shortage, real estate development company Anthem Properties and Alberta polytechnic NAIT have teamed up to attract youth and those looking to upskill to pursue an apprenticeship or trades-related diploma.
Anthem Properties has donated $ 500,000 to help students enrolled in one of the 18 construction and trade programs the bursary supports.
“Partnering with NAIT to support the next generation is a strategic investment as these students will play a critical role in the development and sustainability of our society in the future,” says Dylan Hunchak, vicepresident, Land Development at Anthem.
Forecasts from Canadian Apprenticeship Forum indicate the need for an additional 60,000 registered apprentices country- wide by 2025.
“We hope that this investment in NAIT provides hope to individuals who for one reason or another believe a formal education is out of reach and that this is a catalyst to an amazing career,” Hunchak adds.
Increasingly, companies like Anthem Properties are seeing the value of supporting polytechnics to encourage people to seek apprenticeship, which are critical investments, s ay s Mat t Lindberg , dean of NAIT’s School of Skilled Trades.
“Anthem’s partnership recognizes some of the barriers for apprentices in dire need of financial support,” Lindberg adds. “I’m excited about the future of apprenticeship because of the support we’re seeing from industry leaders like Anthem to elevate and proclaim the value skilled trades workers bring to Alberta, and more broadly to Canada.”
For those looking to pursue an apprenticeship or a diploma, factors, such as taking time off work, can be a deterrent. First- year NAIT carpenter apprentice Geoff Foxton- Garner attests that it can be even more daunting for mature students, especially those with families.
“I’ve always wanted to get into the trades, but it was never the right time,” says the father of 3, who moved to St. Albert a few years ago looking to advance his career.
As the sole provider for his family, Foxton- Garner was relieved when he was selected for one of Anthem
Properties’ apprenticeship bursaries. He encourages others considering pursuing an apprenticeship to take the opportunity.
“It’s definitely worth it to take the leap,” Foxton-Garner says. “There was always something stopping me from doing what I wanted to do in my career. But now, I’m in a better position to support my family.”
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and skilled trades. During the 2023- 24 academic year, NAIT’s donors supported more than $ 2.42 million in student awards and bursaries. More information about how to apply and application deadlines is available at nait.ca/