Hydro One has announced it will provide post-secondary educational funding for Indigenous students studying in electrical and mechanical engineering programs.
The power company will provide $100,000 through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program from 2018 to 2022. The investment activates a fund-matching program by the Government of Canada, raising the fund to a total of $800,000.
"Hydro One has a long history of supporting the education of Indigenous youth. We know that by investing in their education, we are developing the next generation of leaders,” said Derek Chum, Hydro One’s vice-president of Indigenous relations, in a news release.
“We are proud to partner with Indspire as they are champions of change in ensuring that Indigenous youth have access to post-secondary education.”
The bursaries will be given to Indigenous students in an Ontario accredited post-secondary institution studying electrical and mechanical engineering, including apprenticeships, skilled trades and technicians such as: electrical engineering technology and technician programs, civil engineering technology and technician programs, electrician, power line technician, truck and coach technician, utility arborist, and meter technician.
The funding will also apply to post-secondary programs in electricity and energy industry-related disciplines such as computer science, business, information technology, environmental engineering, environmental science/studies, social sciences/humanities, and Indigenous studies.
Applications can be completed online at indspire.ca and must be received by February 1, August 1, and November 1 each year. Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to apply for paid work placements with Hydro One.
“I am delighted that Hydro One has made the commitment to invest in Indigenous education,” said Roberta Jamieson, president-CEO of Indspire, a national charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people.
“Not only does this investment in Indigenous youth signal to Canada that Hydro One is a partner on the path to reconciliation, but it will enable hundreds of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students to pursue their dreams – and for that, we are truly grateful.”
