Daniel Rust, 4th year Architectural Engineering student
Daniel Rust a fourth year Architectural Engineering student, is offering a $2000 Trades Scholarship to a student pursuing a career in the skilled trades sector.
Rust, who is in his final few terms of his Architectural Engineering degree, also founded and operates Capstone Painting. Rust started his company when he was 20 years old, and fits in painting and estimates on weekends, evenings, and even in-between classes.
His goal with this scholarship is to promote the skilled trades as a worthwhile and fulfilling career and help meet the current shortage in skilled trades labour. He also remembers how much scholarships helped him when starting his post-secondary program, and wants to give the same support to another young student.
Originally promoted as a $1000 scholarship, the amount soon doubled when Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) offered to match Capstone Painting's contribution, making the total scholarship $2000.
Rust's scholarship will be awarded to one Grade 12 student in the Waterloo region who is pursuing post secondary education in the trades to help with the financial burdens of tuition, food, rent, gas, and the increased cost of living. He hopes to find:
"... a student who is eager to learn, and eager to work. A student who is ambitious, who has big dreams, and who is choosing to accomplish them through the skilled trades."
Applicants can find out how to apply on Capstone Painting's website. The scholarship recipient will be notified by August 31, 2024.
Read the full story and listen to Rust's radio interview on CBC News Kitchener.