Learn. Develop. Succeed. (LDS) is excited to launch the Skilled Trades Scholarship Program. This initiative supports youth with learning differences who are well-suited to rewarding careers in the skilled trades but often face barriers to accessing and completing post-secondary education and training.
These scholarships provide more than just financial support. In addition to covering full tuition for post-secondary programs leading to skilled trades certification, LDS offers ongoing, individualized learning and transition support to help students thrive at every stage – from high school planning to securing meaningful employment.
Each Skilled Trades Scholarship includes:
Support covers the complete skilled trades pathway, including:
Our goal is to ensure not only access to training but also successful completion, certification, and long-term career success.
This scholarship is for motivated students who demonstrate readiness for skilled trades pathways and would benefit from structured, individualized support. It aims to remove barriers, improve retention rates, and guide students from training into sustainable employment.
This scholarship honours the life and legacy of Stewart McCuaig—a man remembered for his kindness, integrity, devotion to family, and genuine care for others.
It embodies the values Stewart lived by: patience, encouragement, responsibility, and belief in people’s potential. The award supports a student pursuing a skilled trades pathway with the sustained guidance needed to succeed.
To contribute to the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship Fund and honour his legacy, please donate through our charity (online or via cheque). For more information or to arrange a meeting, please contact our Development Officer, Katherine Withnall, at KatherineW@ldsociety.ca
In its inaugural year (January-December 2026), the program will award:
Applications will be by invitation only, extended to current LDS students and families demonstrating financial need. This focused approach ensures strong alignment, student readiness, and maximum impact during the program’s launch.
Skilled trades offer fulfilling, high-demand careers with excellent opportunities. However, many talented students with learning differences face challenges such as complex application processes, inaccessible systems, and insufficient ongoing support for academics and executive functioning.
By combining comprehensive financial assistance with long-term, personalized learning support, these scholarships create a seamless, learner-centred pathway. This proven model enhances access, persistence, and outcomes—for the benefit of students, families, employers, and communities alike.
For questions about the Skilled Trades Scholarship Program or to support the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact KatherineW@ldsociety.ca
– 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.
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