The late Hugh Laird, former Executive Director of the Interior Systems Contractors Association (ISCA), leaves a legacy of dedication to the support and training of young people in the skilled trades. He demonstrated his generosity to George Brown College as the signing Donor of the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario Endowment. In honour of his memory, the endowment has been renamed the ISCA Hugh Laird Memorial Endowment.
As the former Chair of Helmets to Hardhats Canada, Hugh Laird was known as a champion of skills training and creating opportunities for learning for youth. He almost single-handedly created one of the largest and most modern training centres in North America for apprenticeship training.
Hugh Laird made it a priority to champion others. He cared about the community as well. He was especially concerned about veterans, in particular homeless veterans. He was one of the founding directors of Helmets to Hardhats Canada, which provides civilian career opportunities to those who served in the Canadian Forces.
“Hugh Laird knew how important it was to educate young people in the skilled trades. And he didn’t just advocate for skills training, he walked the talk. Through his vision and generosity thousands of young people have developed careers in the construction industry.” Ron Johnson, Executive Director, ISCA said of the late construction icon.
Referring to the renaming of the endowment, Dr. Cindy Gouveia, President, George Brown College Foundation, said, “We are grateful for Hugh Laird’s dedication to skills training and for ISCA’s generosity to George Brown College. This is a meaningful way to honour Hugh’s legacy and to inspire and support students who are aiming to make a better life for themselves and their communities.”
Awards funded by the ISCA Hugh Laird Memorial Endowment will be available to full-time students in the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies enrolled in the Construction Engineering Technologies Ontario College Advance Diploma T105 program at George Brown College. Students must have successfully completed their 5th semester, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate involvement in the interior systems industry through courses, work, and/or volunteer activities.
