Bursaries and Scholarships


IUOE Local 115 knows education is important for you and your children, which is why a number of scholarships and bursaries are available to IUOE Local 115 members and their families.scholarship-photo

Some of the awards available:

IUOE Canadian Conference Bursary

Awarded annually to a dependent of a member of a Canadian local of the Operating Engineers.

Bursary Amount:
Ten bursaries of $1,000 each. Two of these are allotted to British Columbia.

Criteria:
The bursary recipient must be entering their first or subsequent year of a full-time course of study (at least 2 years in length) leading to a diploma, certificate or degree from any recognized public Canadian college or university. Applications must be supported by transcripts of high school achievement and accompanied by a detailed letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the candidate, outlining reasons why the bursary should be awarded. In addition,  applicants must submit a 1000-word essay on the reason why the bursary will be of assistance or the impact that being a dependent of a union member has had on the applicant’s life.

Applications Deadline:
August 1 each year.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION ****Canadian Conference – Bursary Application – 2023****

For Information & Applications Contact:
IUOE Local 987
244 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W1
Phone: 204-786-8658
Fax: 204-786-6578
Send your applications via email

M.L. Parr Award

Awarded annually to a son, daughter or legal ward of a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 entering first-year studies. This award is named in honour of the late Mike Parr, who was Business Manager of IUOE Local 115 from 1963 to 1980.

About M.L. Parr: Mike Parr was a 25-year-old Second World War veteran when he signed up with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 on Aug. 6, 1948, during the post-war boom. He started as a shovel operator and he went on to serve more than two decades as a union officer and a phenomenal 70 years as a Local 115 member before his death in 2019. Like many war veterans, he joined Local 115 just as the post-war economy was creating jobs for skilled operators on hydroelectric dams and in plywood and pulp mills, the early oil and gas industry and urban construction. In the early ‘60s, dissension and internal political battles led to reform. Parr and others established District rule to quell bitter fights over representation. He eventually became became President of the Local in 1961, and then Business Manager from 1965 to 1980. Brother Parr is also credited for his bold thinking and having established the IUOE Local 115 pension fund.

Bursary Amount:
Total $2000. May be divided between more than one applicant.

Criteria:
Applicants must be a son, daughter or legal ward of a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 entering first-year studies in any discipline at a recognized Canadian college, university or vocational school as a full-time student. High school transcripts may be requested. Awards are based upon secondary school academic standing.

Applications Deadline:
September 30.  Awards are presented in November.

For More Information & Applications Contact:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Business Manager’s Office
Phone: 604-291-8831
Fax: 604-473-5235
Apply via email

Donald Smith Scholarship

Scholarship awarded in the name of the late Donald Smith, a longtime member of IUOE Local 115.

About Donald Smith: Brother Donald (“Blondie”) Smith, a longtime member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115, left a bequest in his will for the establishment of a scholarship
which will be known as the Donald Smith Scholarship Fund. “Blondie”, as he was known by his fellow workers in the suction dredging industry, started in 1949 on the Levee with B.C. Bridge and Dredging which later became Dillingham. When he moved to the dredge he was first a deckhand and later in 1952 became a dredge engineer. “Blondie” worked as an engineer on such suction dredges as: “The Townsend”, “The W.G. McKenzie”, “The Western Dredger” and “The King Edward”. “Blondie” was promoted to chief engineer on the suction dredge “The W.G. McKenzie” in 1957. He continued as chief engineer with Dillingham until his death.

Scholarship Amount:
Up to $1000

Criteria:

Awarded annually to a son or daughter or grandchild or legal ward, a member or a member’s spouse who is in full time attendance at a recognized Canadian College, University or Institute pursuing studies in Engineering, Industrial Relations or Law at either the graduate or undergraduate level.  Awards are based on academic standing.

Applications Deadline:
September 30.  Awards are presented in November.

For More Information & Applications Contact:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Business Manager’s Office
Phone: 604-291-8831
Fax: 604-473-5235
Apply via email

C.S.C.U.-O.E.C.U. Pioneers Memorial Bursary

Originally established in 1989 by Operating Engineers Credit Union, which merged with Community Savings Credit Union in 2009, the memorial provides an annual donation to honour the pioneers of the Operating Engineers Credit Union. Bursaries from the Operating Engineers Credit Union Pioneers Memorial as well as other trust funds are offered through the Credit Union Foundation of BC. These bursaries provide supplemental assistance to students in academic, vocational or technological programs at B.C. educational facilities.

Bursary Amount:
The prime criteria and basis of the bursary is specified and assessed financial need.

Criteria:
Awards from the Community Savings Credit Union OECU Pioneers Memorial bursary are designed to help disadvantaged youth pursue higher education. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a strong and justified financial need for assistance, along with supplementary documentation and your proposed requirements.

Applications Deadline:
Applications for students starting school in the fall are accepted between September 1 and October 15.

For Information & Applications Contact:
For an application, visit www.cufoundation.org or stop by the Operating Engineers branch of Community Savings Credit Union at 4590 Hastings Street in Burnaby, B.C. You can also visit Community Savings Credit Union or reach us via email.

Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada Student Award Program

October 15 deadline!

The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada has established a program for students whose parent or guardian is employed (or has history of employment) with a company who is a member or partner of the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada and who plan to continue their education at a college or university. Awards are offered each year for full-time study at a recognized Canadian accredited post-secondary institution of the student’s choice.

Your son or daughter may qualify to receive money towards their education. If they are enrolled in a full-time program leading to a diploma or degree and if you have a history of working with a PLCAC member, apply before October 15. Post-graduate students may also be considered.

The applicant must provide proof of full-time enrollment in a program leading to a diploma or degree in any field at a recognized Canadian college or university. Applications received from students enrolled in post-graduate programs may also be considered.

Applications and Deadline:
The deadline for the 2023-2024 school year applications is October 15.  Details are posted online at www.pipeline.ca. Award payments are processed by Pipe Line Contractors Association in December.