TORONTO, Ont. – The OTA Education Foundation has announced the unveiling of a revitalized and renewed organization designed to add relevance to the trucking industry. In a speech during the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention, foundation chairman Scott Smith highlighted key changes resulting from a comprehensive restructuring effort that commenced last year and which examined the foundation’s mission, its governance and virtually all other aspects.

“The updated mission not only provides funding for post-secondary children of the industry,” Smith said. “It also speaks to enlightening and educating those young minds on the economic importance of the industry, and to encourage them to consider a career in trucking.”

Applicants have to demonstrate a level of knowledge or understanding about the trucking industry with their applications for assistance. Scholarship awards are now available to a wider group of potential recipients. While general scholarships will continue to be available along with the J.O. Goodman and C.V. Hoar Scholarships, the foundation announced the opportunity for individuals or corporations to establish their own named scholarships. The conditions of these scholarships will be determined by the contributors so that they can meet their own needs and objectives.

To date, Don Anderson Haulage of Stouffville, The Erb Group of Companies of New Hamburg, Grant’s Transport of New Liskeard, J.D. Smith and Sons of Concord, as well as TST Overland Express, Trailcon Leasing and Glasvan Great Dane Sales, all of Mississauga, have committed to establishing named scholarships. In addition, the OTA and the OTA Allied Trades Division have announced their own named scholarships. The details of all these scholarships will be decided and publicized over the coming months.

The OTA Education Foundation is a charitable institution devoted to the furtherance of education for Ontario post-secondary students. Established in 1958, the foundation was founded with the goal of providing assistance to Ontario students, regardless of their field of study, who have demonstrated a commitment to academic success, community service, and who have or plan to have an affiliation with the trucking industry.