University of Waterloo grad offering $2K in scholarships for students entering trades

Daniel Rust started a painting business as a way to pay for university, and now that he's graduated with a degree in architectural engineering he plans to keep painting.

The 23-year-old owns and operates Capstone Painting and says getting into a trade like painting showed him what he really wanted to do with his life.

And he wants to inspire others.

Last year, Rust offered a $1,000 scholarship to a local student entering the trades. That was matched by the Grand Valley Construction Association to create two scholarships.

"This was something that was personal to me," he said. "I studied engineering at Waterloo and I just remember how much some of those scholarships really helped with paying for food, tuition, rent, gas, groceries, everything like that. And I just thought to myself, as soon as I'm able to help out somebody else, I would love to be able to give a scholarship, help out more young students."

This year, Rust is offering two scholarships, which Grand Valley Construction Association is again matching, so there are four $1,000 scholarships on offer.

"We are always looking for ways to promote the trades as a first career and Daniel and his scholarship have eliminated a possible barrier to participation," Jeff MacIntyre, president of Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA), told CBC News in an email.

"Daniel is giving back, and the partnership perfectly aligns with the GVCA mission of building better communities. We applaud Daniel and his efforts."

Rust says he's thrilled the construction association was on board again this year.

"From the start I said this is something that I don't want to do just once. I would like it to be annual and hopefully continue growing it every year," he said. "So this year it was as simple as [saying], 'Hey, are we still on to do this again?' And Jeff said 'Yes, of course.'"

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Andrew Chumley is thrilled to hear the scholarship is back. He was one of two people who received the scholarship last year.

Chumley, who is from Elmira, is studying to become an electrician at Conestoga College. He says the money helped him buy specialized tools but also he was grateful that Rust became a mentor.

"He has given me someone to look up to and seek advice from and I am very grateful for the connection we have made so far," Chumley said.