Commissionaires introduces diversity scholarship

Commissionaires Nova Scotia announced changes to its annual scholarship program, including a 33 per cent increase award amounts and a dedicated award for applicants from historically underrepresented groups.

As part of its benefits program for employees, each year Commissionaires provides a limited number of scholarships to spouses, children or grandchildren of serving commissionaires.

To date, the program has assisted 81 students with awards totalling $125,000.

According to Commissionaires, the new dedicated diversity award is in recognition of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

“We know that certain communities are disadvantaged in accessing educational opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented in many post secondary schools,” said Geoff Hamilton, CEO, Commissionaires Nova Scotia, in a statement. “We want to contribute to the solution and our Board of Governors has mandated that at least one scholarship will be prioritized for a member of the African Nova Scotian or Indigenous community.”

Commissionaires is also increasing the monetary amount from $1,500 to $2,000 per scholarship.

“We are thrilled to continually improve our benefits programs at Commissionaires,” said Hamilton. “We encourage all qualified students who are members of a racialized or marginalized community to apply.”