Why this university student is offering a scholarship to someone who will study trades

Daniel Rust didn’t finish college, but after successfully starting a painting business, he says he’s ready to help another student as they enter school.

Rust is a fourth-year architectural engineering student at the University of Waterloo and also owns and operates Capstone Painting. He started his business to finance his studies.

Today, the 22-year-old is offering $1,000 to provide a scholarship to a student who is considering going into the trades.

Rust says he remembers winning scholarships when he graduated from high school in Petrolia, Ont.

“I remember how much those awards helped me,” he said in an interview on CBC’s KW. The morning edition with host Craig Norris.

Another reason he wants to offer this scholarship is the labor shortage in the trades.

“There is a shortage of skilled labor and this shortage is only getting worse these days, with large numbers of older people retiring and a lack of young people to replace them” , did he declare.

“A truly inspiring child”

When the Grand Valley Construction Association heard what Rust was doing, they wanted to help and agreed to match the grant, which now brings it to $2,000.

Jeff MacIntyre, president of the association, called Rust “a truly inspiring kid.”

MacIntyre says having someone like Rust promoting the trades in this way is also a big boon for the industry.

“We talk about careers as a first career choice, not a default career — the opportunity to live well, make a lot of money, build things,” he said.

“Amplifying prime occupations as careers is important. Beyond that, we are in such a talent gap that we need more people like Daniel to give others a path to careers.”

MacIntyre says the association’s philosophy is to build community, not only physically with structures, but in other ways as well. This includes support for this scholarship as the association celebrates its 50th anniversary.

“Why this thing with Daniel is going so well is we’ve been talking about it over the last 50 years, we’ve built a community. And for the next 50 years, what are we going to do to build better communities?” he said.

“Doing that, giving back to charity, giving back to those who need our help and helping those people get into the trades is definitely aligned.”

“There is no better time than now to start”

Young people can apply for the scholarship through the Rust website for Capstone Painting and by clicking on the tab at the top for the scholarship application. The scholarship holder will be informed before August 31.

Rust says starting his own business in college was a challenge and it meant missing parties and social events to finish his painting or do his books. He said he plans to continue his painting business after graduation.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s a lot of work and it takes a lot of dedication,” he said. “It’s really about keeping an eye on the long term, as I really do, you know, I’m happy to do this job from the start because I’m focused on that long term.”

Even though he’s still in school, Rust says he’s happy to be able to offer a scholarship to someone else.

“As soon as this opportunity presented itself, it was something I wanted to do. And, you know, I didn’t necessarily expect it to be ready in two years, but here I am,” he said. -he declares.

“I said to myself that there was no better time to start than now. And then I hope that in the years to come, continue to do the same thing, but bigger and better.”

LISTEN | This university student is offering a $1,000 scholarship to someone entering the trades.: