Ontario Construction News staff writer
Northbridge Insurance has launched a construction bursary program in Ontario, in partnership with George Brown College. The program will support students pursuing careers in the skilled trades and help to address the ongoing labour shortage in the construction industry.
Launched in 2024, in collaboration with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), the Northbridge Construction Bursary was designed to provide financial support to aspiring construction professionals. The programโs success in Atlantic Canada demonstrated the strong demand for skilled tradespeople and the need to expand support to other regions. By expanding to Ontario, Northbridge hopes to provide more opportunities for students entering this sector.
The bursary is now available to eligible students at both NSCC and George Brown College. At NSCC, students enrolled in construction management, masonry, carpentry, or electrical programs are eligible to apply. In Ontario, students enrolled in full-time programs at the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at George Brown College can apply.
Ten bursaries per school, each valued at $5,000, will be granted. Five bursaries will be offered in the Spring and five in the Fall of 2025, helping to ease financial barriers and encourage more students to pursue careers in the skilled trades.
Bursary recipients will be selected by the NSCC and George Brown Student Awards Offices based on the application criteria, academic standing, and financial need.
โWhen we first started meeting with industry constituents, contractor associations, and our customers, we saw an opportunity to support Canadian students through a bursary program,โ said Jonathan Graham, underwriting director, construction and contracting at Northbridge Insurance. โI strongly believe that this program not only benefits students but also helps support our insured customers and Canadian contractors who are building our nation.
โInvesting in Canadian students in the skilled trades is imperative to ensuring a strong, successful workforce for the future of construction firms.โ