Building Futures That Last: Skilled Trades Scholarships

Opening doors. Supporting the full journey. Building futures that last.

We are proud to introduce two new Skilled Trades Scholarships designed to support youth with learning differences who are well-suited to trades careers but face barriers accessing and completing post-secondary training.  

These scholarships are not just about funding tuition. They are designed to ensure learners can successfully navigate every stage of the pathway—from high school planning to certification and meaningful employment.  

A Full-Cycle Approach to Skilled Trades Success 

Both scholarships follow the same comprehensive scope and provide $17,000 per learner, combining:  

• Post-secondary tuition and training support  
• Ongoing, specialized LDS learning support  
• Multi-year, wraparound services tailored to each learner  

Support spans the entire skilled trades journey, including:  

• High school transition planning  
• Post-secondary program and course selection  
• Application navigation and accessibility support  
• Ongoing learning, executive functioning, and skills support  
• Apprenticeship navigation  
• Certification and Red Seal preparation (where applicable)  
• Employment readiness, job search support, and early employment stabilization  

The goal is not only access, but completion, certification, and long-term success in the workforce.

1. Bright Futures Skilled Trades Scholarship 

The Bright Futures Skilled Trades Scholarship supports learners who demonstrate readiness and motivation for skilled trades pathways and benefit from structured, individualized learning support.  

This scholarship is designed to reduce barriers, increase retention, and ensure that learners are supported throughout their training and into employment.  

• 2026 Pilot Program: There will be two available scholarships, each for $17,000    
• Applicants: For this initial year, these two scholarships will be offered to current Learn. Develop. Succeed. learners and families in demonstrated financial need. This approach ensures strong alignment, readiness, and the highest likelihood of success as the model is refined and prepared for future expansion.

2. Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship

The Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship honours the life and legacy of Stewart McCuaig, remembered for his kindness, integrity, devotion to family, and deep care for others.  

This scholarship reflects the values Stewart embodied throughout his life: patience, encouragement, responsibility, and belief in people’s potential. It supports learners pursuing a skilled trades pathway in receiving the sustained guidance they need to succeed.  

• 2026 Pilot Program: There will be one available scholarship for $17,000  
• Applicants: For this initial year, one scholarship will be offered to a current Learn. Develop. Succeed. learner and family in demonstrated financial need. This approach ensures strong alignment, readiness, and the highest likelihood of success as the model is refined and prepared for future expansion.  
• Community members who wish to honour Stewart’s legacy may contribute to the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship Fund by donating through our charity (online or via cheque). Please contact our Development Officer, Katherine Withnall, for additional support or to arrange a meeting: KatherineW@ldsociety.ca.  

2026 Pilot: Invitation-Based Launch

The first year of the Skilled Trades Scholarship Pathway is a pilot program and will support:  

• Two learners through the Bright Futures Skilled Trades Scholarship  
• One learner through the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship  

For the initial year, from January to December 2026, scholarships will be offered by invitation to current Learn. Develop. Succeed. learners and families who are in demonstrated financial need. This approach allows LDS to ensure strong alignment, readiness, and the highest likelihood of success as the model is refined and prepared for future expansion.

Why Skilled Trades — and Why This Model Works

Skilled trades offer meaningful, high-opportunity careers; yet many capable learners with learning differences encounter barriers, such as complex application processes, inaccessible systems, and a lack of sustained academic and executive-function support.  

By pairing financial assistance with long-term, individualized learning support, these scholarships create a one-stop, learner-centred pathway that improves access, persistence, and outcomes—benefiting learners, families, employers, and communities.  

• Learn more about Skills for Trades: https://ldsociety.ca/skills-for-trades/
• For questions about the Skilled Trades Scholarships or to learn how to support the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact Katherine Withnall at 604.873.8139.

– Rachel S. Forbes, Executive Director

LDS is a community of dedicated professionals who write collaboratively. We recognize the contribution of unnamed team members for their wisdom and input.