Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, has awarded $2,500 to Jadea Smith of Eganville, Ontario to support her pursuit of a career in the skilled trades. Smith received one of four scholarships awarded as part of Metal Supermarkets’ fourth-annual Trade School Scholarship program.
Jadea is a registered 456A welding apprentice with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program. She first discovered her passion for welding through a high-school extracurricular program that introduced female students to the trade. Through the support of the Trade School Scholarship, Jadea will be able to attend the Welder-Fitter Mechanical Technician program at Canadore College this fall.
“The Trade School Scholarship will allow me to hit the ground running,” said Smith. “I am so thankful for Metal Supermarkets’ support and I’m excited to pursue a career in welding after I finish my education.”
Supporting Future Generations of Skilled Trade Workers
North America is facing a growing deficit of skilled trades workers, with over 320,000 welding professionals projected to be needed by 2029. Additionally, an average of 80,000 welding jobs will need to be filled annually between 2025 and 2029. To address this critical skills gap and to raise awareness of the vital trades industry, Metal Supermarkets created the annual Trade School Scholarship in 2022. Since its launch, the company has awarded $40,000 to students who are pursuing valuable careers in the trades.
“Metal Supermarkets is dedicated to supporting and empowering the next generation of skilled trades professionals,” said Ryan Pryznyk, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “Through our annual scholarship, we’re honoured to help students like Jadea as they pursue meaningful careers in welding. We congratulate Jadea Smith on being selected for this year’s Trade School Scholarship and we look forward to her continued success.”
To learn more about the Metal Supermarkets Trade School Scholarship and to discover past recipients, visit: https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/trade-school-scholarship/.
(Richard Evans)