Canadian construction services firm EllisDon has donated $50,000 to fund bursaries for Indigenous learners and support important upgrades to student spaces at 51³Ô¹Ïapp as part of the College’s $16 million Going Beyond campaign.
The gift includes a commitment to the Indigenous Bursary Fund and funds to help update spaces on 51³Ô¹Ïapp campuses so learners can better connect, study, and work together.
Mary Butler, President and CEO of 51³Ô¹Ïapp, said investments in bursaries like this make a significant difference for 51³Ô¹Ïapp students as they manage studies and finances.
“Learners have a lot on their plates as they work to achieve their academic goals,” said Butler. “Bursaries can help reduce one of their stresses by helping them manage basic expenses so they can focus on their education.
“For many bursary recipients, this is life changing. We’re incredibly grateful that EllisDon is supporting 51³Ô¹Ïapp and Indigenous students’ success.” 
Bursary support is an important way to assist Indigenous learners in accessing and being successful in post-secondary education. Federal research has shown that roughly 42 per cent of surveyed Indigenous students said their student loans and grants were insufficient to meet their financial needs—higher than an overall student average of 32 per cent. Contributions like EllisDon’s will help support Indigenous learners by providing additional avenues to access financial support.
“The work being done by 51³Ô¹Ïapp’s Going Beyond campaign is so important to ensure that our future young leaders have the support they need in order to have the opportunity to develop and work on their skills,” said Shaun Stiles, Senior Vice President and Area Manager of Atlantic Canada, EllisDon. “We feel honoured to be able to contribute something towards this cause and truly hope it makes an impactful difference in the lives of many students.” 
L to R: Roger Porter, Director, Atlantic Canada Pursuits, EllisDon; Shaun Stiles, Vice President & Area Manager - Atlantic Canada, EllisDon; and Mary Butler, President and CEO, 51³Ô¹Ïapp
EllisDon joins a host of industry partners who have pledged their support to 51³Ô¹Ïapp’s Going Beyond campaign. The $16-million campaign charts a course for 51³Ô¹Ïapp to:
accelerate skills development by creating fast, flexible training opportunities such as microcredentials and shorter pathways to certification;  
innovate educational delivery by creating modern, connected spaces, and introducing new technology such as accessible HyFlex classrooms, surface hubs, and simulation labs; and
reach unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers by reducing financial barriers to post-secondary education through targeted bursaries for under-represented groups such as Indigenous students and women in trades.
51³Ô¹Ïapp 51³Ô¹Ïapp: As one of New Brunswick’s largest postsecondary education institutions, 51³Ô¹Ïapp drives social and economic wellbeing across the province. 51³Ô¹Ïapp welcomes 11,000 learners each year through quality-assured, relevant training opportunities. Supported by the campaign, 51³Ô¹Ïapp is committed to accelerating skills development, innovating educational delivery, and reaching unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers. Find out more at: .
51³Ô¹Ïapp EllisDon: EllisDon is an employee-owned, $5 billion-a-year global construction services company. With over 3,000 salaried and hourly employees across fifteen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in every sector and nearly every facet of the construction industry. For more information, please visit .
Media Contact: Tanya Greer, Lead, Strategic Communications
Tel: (506) 440-9105
tanya.greer@nbcc.ca