The Women’s Industry Network has announced the 10 recipients of its inaugural Canadian Collision Repair Student Scholarship Program, awarding a total of $7,500 to students and apprentices pursuing careers in the collision repair industry.
Designated as the first “Northern Star” scholarship program, the initiative recognizes female students and apprentices enrolled in collision repair programs across Canada. Recipients were selected by WIN’s Scholarship Committee from a large pool of applicants.
Eligible candidates included high school or post-secondary students enrolled in collision repair programs, as well as registered apprentices working at collision centres.
“Our inaugural Northern Star scholarship program is designed to encourage women with an interest in the industry to continue on that path, as well as equip those who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a career in collision repair,” said Brandi Brydges, chair of WIN’s Canada Integration Committee.
“Its recipients will be awarded mentorship opportunities, fellow student engagement benefits, a virtual pass to our annual WIN North American Conference, as well as scholarship funds to help them along with their collision repair education,” she said.
In addition to scholarship funding, all recipients and applicants will be eligible to participate in WIN’s mentoring program, which includes student engagement calls and networking opportunities with collision repair professionals and peers.
WIN said the initiative is intended to support women entering the collision repair field while encouraging long-term career advancement and retention within the industry.
The 2026 Northern Star Scholarship $1,000 recipients are Sophia Branco-Silva of Centennial College in Whitby, Ont.; Amelia Desbiens of Central Memorial High School in Calgary, Alta.; Kianna Edison of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora, Ont.; Aleisha Smith of Okanagan College in Kelowna, B.C.; and Teila Wandowich of Red River Polytech in Winnipeg, Man.
The 2026 Northern Star Scholarship $500 recipients are Torrie Crowe of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alta.; Shanika Dick of Centennial College in Toronto, Ont.; Cassandra Foy of Red River Polytech in St. Andrews, Man.; Jordan Pomanski of Red River Polytech in Winnipeg, Man.; and Evelyn Torres of Centennial College in Toronto, Ont.
For more information about the scholarship program, click here.
