Unifor and Coca Cola Partner to Offer New Scholarships for Tradeswomen at Sheridan College

Sheridan College

TORONTO, May 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian labour union Unifor and Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada have come together on an initiative that will provide 15 new $2,000 scholarships for women enrolled in Sheridan College's skilled trades programs. The announcement was made yesterday at Sheridan College's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies.

"There are tremendous career opportunities available in the skilled trades and manufacturing industries, and we hope that this generous initiative by Unifor and Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada will encourage more women to consider this exciting career path," said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, Sheridan's President and Vice Chancellor.

The scholarships will be awarded based on a number of factors, including financial need, and will be open to any woman enrolled in one of Sheridan College's six trades programs or two post-graduate manufacturing management programs including: Electrical Engineering Technician, Electrical Techniques, Mechanical Technician – Tool Making, Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing, Mechanical Techniques – Tool and Die Maker, Welding Techniques, Quality Assurance – Manufacturing and Management, and Manufacturing Management.

"I want to congratulate Unifor, Coca-Cola and Sheridan College for helping 15 young women have better access to valuable training," said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. "These scholarships will foster equality in the trades and the workplace. I am proud that they have chosen the City of Brampton to ‎lead this change."

"It's important for women to see skilled trades as a viable career option," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "Statistics show that typically less than 3% of all apprentices in the construction, automotive and industry trades are female. Unifor is committed to changing the perception of who a skilled tradesperson is, to one based on competency and not gender."

"As we continue to grow our business, it is vitally important that we have a wide pool of skilled talent to bring into our organization," said Bill Schultz, President, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada. "These scholarships are not only a way to give back to a community that has been an extremely important partner, but also an investment to help create a bright future for a community where our employees, customers and consumers live and work."

The Awards will be available for the 2016-2017 academic year.

About Sheridan College
Sheridan College is one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions, serving over 20,000 full time students at four campuses in the western Greater Toronto Area.   We offer over 130 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in the fields of arts, business, community service, health, technology and the skilled trades.  Currently based at the Skills Training Centre in Oakville, Sheridan's apprenticeship and skilled trades programs will be moving to a purpose-built, state of the art new facility at our Brampton Campus in 2017.  The quality of skilled trades at Sheridan is reflected in a winning record at provincial and national skills competitions, including six medals at the 2016 Ontario Skills competition held in early May. For more information please visit www.sheridancollege.ca.

Twitter: @sheridancollege

About Unifor
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers in every sector of the economy. Dedicated to protecting workers' rights, Unifor fights for equality and social justice and strives to create progressive change for a better future. For more information please visit www.unifor.org

Twitter: @UniforTheUnion

About Coca-Cola in Canada
Coca-Cola in Canada operates in all ten provinces, and employs 6,300 people in more than 50 facilities, including six production facilities across Canada. We offer a wide variety of beverage brands, many of which come in no-calorie and low-calorie options. These beverages include sparkling soft drinks, still waters, juices and fruit beverages, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas. We're proud to offer some of the most popular brands in Canada including Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coca-Cola Zero®, Sprite®, Fanta®, Nestea®, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Dasani® and vitaminwater®. Coca-Cola in Canada is represented by Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada and Coca-Cola Ltd. For more information about our Company, please visit www.coca-cola.ca or www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Twitter: @cocacolaco_ca

SOURCE Sheridan College

Image with caption: "L to R: Bill Schultz, President, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada; Jeff Bowman, City Councillor; Mayor Linda Jeffrey; Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor; and Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President and Vice Chancellor (CNW Group/Sheridan College)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160525_C6844_PHOTO_EN_699531.jpg

Susan Atkinson, Sheridan College, Office: 905-815-4073, [email protected]; Kathleen O'Keefe, Unifor, Office: 1-800-268-5763 x6544, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]; Shannon Denny, Coca-Cola Ltd., Office: 416-424-6373, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]