USW Canada: New Columbia Scholarship Program 2010

The Canadian Directors are pleased to announce a new scholarship program available to Steelworker members. The application form and information sheet are included in this package.

The United Steelworkers have a proud tradition of supporting worker education. Whether it is through our Back-to-the-Locals Education program, our Leadership Development Scholarship program, or labour and community sponsored courses, Steelworkers invest in giving members the skills and expertise they need to meet the political, social and economic challenges of today’s global economy.

One of the ways Steelworkers help to open doors to member education is through scholarships. As part of our agreement with Working Enterprises, an annual contribution will be made to the Columbia Institute to provide Steelworkers each year with 12 education scholarships of $1000 each. These scholarship funds are available as a direct benefit of our members’ participation in the group home and auto insurance program we have set up with Aviva Traders insurance company, through Working Enterprises Insurance.

The Columbia Institute is a charitable organization established to motivate and support working people to build strong communities. Through training, education and scholarship programs, the Institute hopes to enhance the role labour activists can play in moving forward our progressive agenda inside and outside of our workplaces.

Please review the eligibility criteria carefully. Applicants must be 24 years of age or older, be members in good standing for at least two years, and be enrolled in a part-time or full-time public post-secondary or accredited labour program including correspondence or distance education.

The Columbia Institute Awards Committee will make recommendations for awards to the United Steelworkers. Successful members must be able to show in their application a history of involvement in community or labour activities, and an ongoing commitment to activism in the movement. Applicants are required to include a letter of recommendation or reference from their local union leadership or staff representative.

Awards will be distributed on the following basis:

Three (3) scholarships to District 3 (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Territories) members.
Three (3) scholarships to District 5 (Quebec) members.
Six (6) scholarships to District 6 (Ontario and Atlantic Canada) members.

Cheques are payable directly to educational institutions. The Columbia Institute will distribute monies to the schools in September and applicants, whether successful or not, will be advised by end of August or early September.

Please distribute this information as widely as you can, and encourage interested members to apply. Deadline for applications each year is June 30th.

In solidarity,

Ken Neumann
National Director for Canada Steve Hunt
District 3 Director Daniel Roy
District 5 Director Wayne Fraser
District 6 Director

Award Details:

Twelve (12) scholarships valued at $1000 each
Scholarships are awarded annually in September
Cheques are payable directly to post secondary educational institutions

Criteria:

Member of the United Steelworkers in good standing for two years
Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
24 years of age or older

Eligibility:

Acceptance into an accredited college, university, community college, or technical or trade school, or accredited labour program
Awards must be used within 6 months of receiving the award

Application Due Dates: