The Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT) is renewing its generous scholarships for civil engineering students at George Brown College, donating $45,000 for this use on July 1. The College is pleased to receive continued support from this highly-regarded industry group that works to promote best practices in heavy civil construction, safety, infrastructure investments and labour relations in Toronto. HCAT’s gift funds two scholarships: the HCAT Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship and the HCAT Award of Excellence in Honour of Vittorino Soncin.
Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) of the gift will go towards the HCAT Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship and will be disbursed over three years, by way of five $2,000 awards given out annually. Students must be registered full-time and have completed semester 5 in the Civil Engineering Technology Program with co-op in order to be eligible for this award. Students must have a cumulative program GPA of 2.7 or higher and demonstrate a commitment and dedication to the field of heavy construction.
Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) of HCAT’s gift will go towards the HCAT Award of Excellence in Honour of Vittorino Soncin, which will be awarded over three years, with two $2,500 awards dispersed annually. This award is given to students who have displayed leadership skills and have completed semester 5 of the Civil Engineering Technology Program, obtaining a cumulative program GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who have a commitment to creativity and the ability to develop solutions to construction issues are encouraged to apply for this award.
The HCAT Award of Excellence in Honour of Vittorino Soncin honours Vittorino (Vic) Soncin for his significant influence and achievements within the Civil Contracting and Engineering sector. Vic emigrated from Italy to Canada in 1956 and began working in construction in Sudbury. He was later lured to the city by civil contractor, Pitts Engineering, that hired him as Superintendent for Bridge Building on the Gardiner Expressway, the QEW and the 401. Vic started Sonterland Construction in 1978 and Soncin Construction in 1983. For over two decades, he represented the Heavy Construction Association as a trustee at the Local 183 Training Centre and was instrumental in developing its current apprenticeship program. Vic was recognized for his outstanding commitment to construction education by the likes of the Honourable Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, as well as the Labourers International Union of North America, which gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Vic’s commitment to the industry is evident in the countless roles he undertaken over the years and in the recognition he has earned from his peers. George Brown College is pleased to be able to further honour his achievements by facilitating the provision of scholarships to civil engineering students.
“HCAT’s first multi-year gift to George Brown College back in 2017 has, in our opinion, been particularly successful. As a result, member companies have become actively involved with the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Civil Engineering Technology program. HCAT is pleased to continue its investment in the next generation of civil engineers.” said Peter Smith, HCAT’s Executive Director.
Dr. Cindy Gouveia, President of the George Brown College Foundation, stated, “Over the past three years, more than 25 students benefited directly from HCAT’s first gift of $45,000. Additionally, I am truly pleased to say that most of these students have also secured exciting co-op opportunities with HCAT member companies. We are so grateful for HCAT and Mr. Soncin, in particular, for providing these motivational opportunities to George Brown College civil engineering students.”
How to Apply for HCAT Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship and HCAT Award of Excellence in Honour of Vittorino Soncin
Students wishing to apply for this award must complete an application online. Additional information, including deadlines and instructions, is available on the Awards and Scholarships page.
For more information about this gift, please contact Krisztina Arany, Senior Development Officer at the George Brown College Foundation, at (416) 415-5000 ext. 4356 or at karany@georgebrown.ca.
