SCHOLARSHIPS
& BURSARIES
What is it?
Ten bursaries are awarded annually to a dependent of a member of a Canadian local of the Operating Engineers, with two bursaries allotted to British Columbia.
Amount
$1,000
Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be entering their first or subsequent year of a full-time course of study (at least two years in length) leading to a diploma, certificate, or degree from any recognized public Canadian college or university.
- Provide transcripts of high school achievement.
- Submit a detailed letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the candidate, outlining reasons why the bursary should be awarded.
- Submit a 1,000-word essay about why the bursary will help or the impact that being a dependent of a union member has had on the applicant’s life.
Application deadline
August 1 each year
- Download and complete the Canadian Conference Bursary Application Form.
- Email your application here.
For more information, contact:
IUOE Local 987
244 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3W1
Phone: 204-786-8658
Fax: 204-786-6578
What is it?
Awarded annually to a son, daughter, or legal ward of a member of IUOE Local 115 who is 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 Mike Parr
Mike Parr was a 25-year-old Second World War veteran when he signed up with IUOE Local 115 on August 6, 1948, during the post-war boom. He started as a shovel operator and 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, Brother Parr 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. Brother Parr and others established District rule to quell bitter fights over representation. He eventually 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.
Amount
$2,000. It may be divided between more than one applicant.
Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a son, daughter, or legal ward of a member of IUOE Local 115.
- Be entering first-year studies in any discipline at a recognized Canadian college, university, or vocational school as a full-time student.
- Provide high school transcripts if requested.
- Meet requirements for secondary school academic standing.
Application deadline
September 30. Awards are presented in November.
How to apply
Apply via email.
For more information, contact:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Business Manager’s Office
Phone: 604-291-8831
Fax: 604-473-5235
What is it?
This annual scholarship is 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 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 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. He was promoted to chief engineer on the suction dredge, The W.G. McKenzie in 1957 and continued as chief engineer with Dillingham until his death.
Amount
Up to $1,000
Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a son, daughter, grandchild, or legal ward of a Local 115 member, or be a member or a member’s spouse.
- Attend full time a recognized Canadian college, university, or institute pursuing studies in Engineering, Industrial Relations, or Law at either the graduate or undergraduate level.
- Be in good academic standing.
Application deadline
September 30. Awards are presented in November.
How to apply
Apply by email.
For more information, contact:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Business Manager’s Office
Phone: 604-291-8831
Fax: 604-473-5235
What is it?
Awards from the Community Savings Credit Union OECU Pioneers Memorial Bursary Program are designed to help disadvantaged youth pursue higher education. These bursaries provide supplemental assistance to students in academic, vocational, or technological programs at BC educational facilities.
About the Memorial
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.
Amount
Determined by financial
Criteria
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate a strong and justified financial need for assistance.
- Provide supplementary documentation.
- Identify their proposed requirements.
Application deadline
Applications for students starting school in the fall are accepted between September 1 and October 15.
How to apply
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, BC.
For more information
Go to Community Savings Credit Union.
Contact the credit union by email.
What is it?
This award is for students whose parent or guardian is employed (or has a history of employment) with a company that 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.
Amount
Not specified
Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be the child of a worker at a company that is a member or partner of the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada.
- 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.
Application deadline
October 15 is the deadline for 2023-2024 school year applications; award payments will be made in December.
How to apply
Details are posted online at www.pipeline.ca.