Two Mohawk College Schulich Builders Scholarship recipients share their passion for pursuing careers in the trades.
Mohawk College Construction Engineering Technician - Building Renovation students Aaliyah Young-Lalumiere and Ava Sunderland began their education in construction through high school courses that exposed them to many aspects, including building tiny homes and a visit to Mohawk’s Stoney Creek campus to participate in activities focused on women in the trades.
It was through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin, that Ava and Aaliyah first gained real-world experience in construction while building tiny homes for a mental health and wellness facility. Their school was among the first in their city to participate in the pilot partnership program. Working under the supervision of professional skilled tradespeople, the students gained hands-on residential construction experience such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
Upon completion, the students were able to see the homes in their permanent location at Kettle & Stony Point First Nation Mental Health and Wellness Hub and Recovery Home.
“The fact that we were in [the course] during that time was really lucky for us,” says Aaliyah. “Building those homes, knowing they were going somewhere, really motivated us to put in the work because they were going to be used.”
Also, while in high school, both women attended Mohawk College’s Jill of All Trades event, where they were inspired by other women working in the trades.
“Seeing how many women actually were interested in [the trades] and getting to talk to a couple of people that were in the building renovation program solidified my decision [to apply to Mohawk],” says Ava.
Then in their first semester, both Ava and Aaliyah had a full-circle moment when they represented their program at the 2024 Jill of All Trades event.
They helped lead the visiting high school students through a project in one of the Stoney Creek campus workshops. “It was really cool to see the girls so interested in it and [to see] they were having a lot of fun,” says Ava.
Now in their second semester, both women are enjoying their classes and appreciate the dedication of their professors.
“Dan Collins really integrates his past projects into the curriculum. He gives us videos and lots of visuals. He really wants to cater to everybody's learning style, even if it is a three-hour lecture,” says Aaliyah. “[You] can tell that he's passionate and enthusiastic. And it just really makes us want to learn.”
“Also, our shop teacher, Stan [Riewald], is a really great teacher,” says Ava. “He doesn’t make you feel bad if you do something wrong. He'll teach you how to fix it.”
Ava and Aaliyah are also very grateful to be recipients of the Schulich Builders Scholarship, a program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. Launched in 2023, Schulich Builders covers tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of 12 participating colleges in Ontario. Ava and Aaliyah are part of the second cohort of ten Mohawk College students to receive the scholarships.
“If I didn't have a scholarship, I'd be paying [for school] with my own money and I'd have to get a lot of money from OSAP. So, in a sense, I’m worry-free. I'm not going to have any student loans to pay off. I actually have a surplus beyond my program’s costs which will allow me to purchase the tools that I really want and that will last,” says Aaliyah. “I can go to class every day and focus on my school work and not have to pick up a second job. So, it's really nice for me and my family to not have that extra stress.”
Ava adds, “I knew textbooks and tools and tuition were expensive, but I didn't realize how expensive they really were. [The scholarship] has taken stress off my shoulders."
With another year left of their program, they are already planning for their future. Both want to work on construction sites in framing to start, but eventually, their paths may diverge. Aaliyah sees herself teaching down the road, and Ava is looking ahead to starting her own renovation company or transitioning to project management.
As they continue to lay the foundation for their careers, we look forward to following both women’s journeys. No matter where they land, both Ava and Aaliyah are sure to find success in their future in the trades.
