Markham, Ontario — Hyundai Canada and Centennial College announced today a new scholarship to support diversity, equity and inclusion in the automotive sector in Canada.
The Hyundai Diversity Scholarship aims to foster the recruitment and advancement of Black students applying to the School of Transportation at Centennial College. The scholarship in full covers $60,000, which will be pledged to six Black students over three years.
Centennial College’s School of Transportation will be awarding the Hyundai Canada Diversity Scholarship to students who identify as members of the Black community. Recipients of the scholarship will also receive greater access to employment opportunities at a Hyundai dealership, post-graduation.
The scholarship is applicable to students in two automotive programs at Centennial College: Motive Power Technician and Automotive Service Technician.
The Hyundai Diversity Scholarship will be available for fall 2021.
“At Hyundai Canada, we believe change in the name of inclusion and equality happens with action. Therefore, it is of great importance to us to provide this scholarship program in order to help foster diverse talent and cultivate the next generation in the auto industry,” said Kirk Merrett, director of human resources and administration at Hyundai Canada. “We are proud to be investing in the future of students with Centennial College while also realizing Hyundai’s vision of progress for humanity.”
Centennial College is the largest School of Transportation in Canada, with approximately 2,000 students enrolled.
“Centennial College has a long history of welcoming and preparing diverse students for careers in Canada’s Transportation sector. With the support of the newly created Hyundai Diversity Scholarship, our mission is further bolstered to serve the Black community and help more young Black men and women access rewarding careers in the automotive sector.” said Alan McClelland, Dean of Centennial’s School of Transportation. “Our sincerest thanks to Hyundai Auto Canada for recognizing the need to open more doors to robust, rewarding careers in the automotive industry.”
In April, Hyundai Canada also committed to investing $250,000 over seven years to support Black and Indigenous automotive students at Georgian College. As Hyundai Canada works towards creating a fully electrified line-up, these donations are meant to bridge the gap in between market demand and talent development, says the automaker.
