Media Release

New funding from Scotiabank and the Diamond Foundation enable youth to try trades

VANCOUVER – Vancouver Community College (VCC) is pleased to announce that the Diamond Foundation and Scotiabank have committed a combined total of $90,000 over two years to support VCC’s Transportation Trades Sampler program.

This unique program was developed in partnership with the B.C. Industry Training Authority (ITA), the Vancouver School Board, and Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre to offer youth hands-on exposure to trades programs such as automotive collision repair, automotive refinishing, automotive service, and heavy mechanical trades over the summer break.

Thanks to a renewed donation from the Diamond Foundation ($50,000) and a first-time gift from Scotiabank ($40,000), VCC’s Transportation Trades Sampler program is able to continue providing these valuable opportunities for B.C. youth until 2022.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants obtain a forklift operator certification and the opportunity to transition into a number of ITA foundational trades training programs. 

“The Transportation Trades Sampler program is an eye-opening experience for many young people as they try out four of the top 15 trades in B.C. and learn from experienced tradespeople. We are grateful for this funding; it allows us to start these students on a path to real success,” says Brett Griffiths, dean of VCC’s School of Trades, Technology and Design.

“By supporting experiential learning, The Diamond Foundation is giving at-risk youth the ability to make connections to career-life possibilities and post-graduation opportunities,” says Jill Diamond, Executive Director, Diamond Foundation.

“Through the launch of ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s new social impact strategy, we are proud to partner with The Diamond Foundation and Vancouver Community College to improve education and employment prospects for every future.” says Stephen Gaskin, Senior Vice President, Scotiabank.

 

About Vancouver Community College

VCC has been inspiring students to reach their career and educational goals for over 50 years, offering post-secondary training in over 130 programs including bachelor's degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships. With three campuses located in East Vancouver, Downtown, and on Annacis Island, students receive hands-on instruction in culinary arts, business, design, health sciences, hospitality, transportation trades, music, and more.

About the Diamond Foundation

The Diamond Foundation has long played a pivotal and prominent role in Vancouver philanthropy. Created by its founders Jack (of blessed memory) and his son Gordon Diamond in 1984, its mission is to improve the quality of life for people in the communities in which the Diamonds live and do business. It donates to organizations and issues that strengthen Jewish community life in Greater Vancouver. The Foundation also seeks investments in local organizations and issues that target young people who do not have the same opportunities as other youth to develop to their fullest potential.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families, and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.1 trillion (as at October 31, 2020), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

 

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Media can contact:

Fareedah Rasoul Kim
Marketing and Communications Officer
Vancouver Community College
604.871.7000, ext. 7538
frasoulkim@vcc.ca