CALL FOR APPLICANTS! WHSC student scholarship contest now open
May 2, 2026
| The following is from the WHSC: |
| Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) is seeking your help to spread the word about our annual scholarship contest aimed at high schoolers about to graduate and move on to an Ontario post-secondary school in fall 2026. Sizable cash awards will be issued to winning applicants who submit an essay, video, podcast or infographic along with evidence of their volunteer efforts helping fellow students and/or community members. |
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| Do you know a high school senior who might benefit from gaining insight into workplace health and safety and could use some cash towards their post-secondary education? Applicants for the 2026 WHSC Student Scholarship Contest are invited to submit an essay, video, podcast or infographic sharing a personal experience with a hazard faced at work or one they think would put their safety or health in harm’s way. They must also share how this hazard impacted their health or could have, how their supervisor or employer responded, and what should have been considered in terms of measures to prevent hazardous exposure in the first place. PLEASE SHARE THIS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY with graduating high school seniors. Cash awardsThis annual scholarship contest is open to Ontario high school students entering full-time or part-time studies at a publicly funded Ontario post-secondary institution. The top applicant regardless of medium category for the 2026 contest will be awarded the Clifford Pilkey, WHSC Founder Memorial Scholarship and receive $6,000. The second-place applicant will be awarded the Fred Upshaw, Champion for Social Justice Memorial Scholarship and receive $4,000. Up to six additional successful applicants regardless of medium category will receive $2,000 each. “This initiative, though, is more than just about helping students achieve their post-secondary educational goals—a challenge for many as costs continue to escalate,” says Andrew Mudge, WHSC executive director. “It serves to help enlighten each applicant about unsafe and unhealthy working conditions and encourages them to consider how hazardous exposures can be prevented. Sadly, the experiences of workers, their families, and their communities, tell us hazards are many, suffering is real and much work remains in pursuit of safer, healthier work,” Mudge adds. Raising workplace hazard awarenessIn fact, a growing body of research evidence suggests some 2,500 workers died in Ontario in 2024 because of hazardous workplace exposures. Much of this is attributed to cancer-related deaths and other occupational illnesses with long latency periods between hazardous workplace exposure(s) and disease onset. Though workers also continue to suffer traumatic deaths at work from falls, motor vehicle incidents, and crushing to name just a few causes. Hundreds of thousands more suffer injuries and illnesses annually here in Ontario because of hazards left unchecked such as working alone, especially with money, bullying and harassment, temperature extremes, unguarded moving machine parts, manual material handling, and hazardous substances. These range from broken bones and musculoskeletal strain injuries to debilitating lung disease and burnout, anxiety and other stress-related disorders. Also noteworthy for students targeted by this scholarship initiative, is the research showing new workers are up to three times more likely to be injured—often because they’re rushed, untrained, under-trained, or afraid to speak up. Ontario young worker deaths from traumatic injuries have increased 40 per cent over the previous decade, according to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). And many young workers are exposed to multiple carcinogens, especially those working in construction, outdoor occupations and farming, says CAREX Canada. Celebrating volunteerismApplicants will be judged on their essay, video, podcast or infographic submission along with their volunteer efforts helping to improve the lived experiences of their fellow students and/or community members. Final scores will be based on the weighted average of their submission (70 per cent) and their volunteerism (30 per cent). “If past scholarship contests are any indication, we are sure to receive compelling hazard and injury stories, along with insights we can use to inform our efforts supporting all who pursue safer, healthier work,” says Mudge. “Applicants will also share with us inspirational stories revealing the many ways they invest in their classmates and communities.” Submissions are due on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. DO YOU KNOW A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR? HAVE THEM APPLY TODAY! Please note: No portion of government grants from employer WSIB assessments or WHSC revenue generation support this important awareness initiative. All student scholarships are financed solely through funds raised at the WHSC-facilitated, Clifford Pilkey Memorial Golf Fundraiser. Related resources A more accurate picture of worker injury, illness and death statistics Young workers vulnerable to harmful job exposures too study finds Health and Safety Resources for Young Workers IWH systematic review finds evidence for higher risks of acute injuries |
| Need more information? Contact a WHSC Training Services Representative in your area. Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca Visit: whsc.on.ca Connect with and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube |
