News & Insights

At Fengate, responsible investment starts with people. Our long‑standing commitment to responsible labour practices, strong workforce development, and inclusive employment practices reflects our belief that long‑term value creation depends on skilled, supported, and respected workers.

Building on this philosophy, Fengate is proud to launch the “Building Her Up” scholarship in partnership with Building Up, a Toronto‑based nonprofit social enterprise that prepares individuals facing barriers to employment for careers in the skilled trades.

A partnership aligned with Fengate’s Responsible Labour philosophy

Fengate’s Responsible Labour Program emphasizes fair wages and benefits, safe working conditions, apprenticeship pathways, and collaboration with labour and community partners. This approach is deeply rooted in our history of working alongside LiUNA and North America’s building trades unions.

Building Up shares these values. Through hands‑on construction training, safety certifications, and job readiness support, Building Up creates direct pathways into unionized trades careers. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the construction workforce while expanding access to opportunity, particularly for underrepresented groups. 

About the “Building Her Up” scholarship

Women remain underrepresented across the skilled trades. The “Building Her Up” scholarship was created to help change that by reducing financial barriers, providing mentorship, and increasing visibility for women pursuing careers in construction.

The scholarship covers full tuition for a female participant in the Building Up program and pairs the recipient with a Fengate mentor. In addition to technical training, mentorship focuses on leadership development, communications, and financial literacy, supporting long‑term career growth beyond the job site.

Meet our inaugural “Building Her Up” scholarship recipient: Akeba Canning

Fengate is proud to name Akeba Canning as the inaugural recipient of the “Building Her Up” scholarship. Akeba brings resilience, determination, and a strong desire to build a long-term career in the skilled trades to the Building Up program. Below, Akeba shares her journey and what the scholarship means to her.

Q&A with Akeba Canning

Tell us a little bit about your background.
Hi, my name is Akeba. I was born in Trinidad and moved to Grenada at a young age before I was adopted at nine. I faced many challenges growing up, but I’ve overcome them and built a strong foundation for myself.

What inspired your interest in skilled trades? 

I’ve always enjoyed physical work and creating things. It’s satisfying to take nothing and turn it into real results that I can see and be proud of.

What initially drew you to the Building Up program?
I liked that Building Up offered real training and job opportunities. It felt like home. Everyone was supportive and made us feel welcome, but my favourite part was that it was hands-on from the start.

What would receiving this scholarship mean for you personally and professionally?
This scholarship is a turning point for me. It’s a reminder that my journey is being seen and supported. It reduces stress, reinforces that my hard work is paying off, and pushes me to keep building a stronger future in the trades.

What do you hope to learn or develop from the Building Up program and how it can support your long-term goals?
I hope to learn strong skills, gain more hands-on experience, and become confident in a trade. This program gives me the skills, confidence, and direction I need to start an apprenticeship, join a union, and build a steady career in the trades.

What technical skills or safety certifications have you developed so far?
I’ve learned tool handling and basic construction skills, and I’ve earned my Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC), Working at Heights, and Scissor and Boom Lift certifications.

Which part of the program has had the biggest impact on your confidence?
Talking with Gayla, our therapist, has helped me a lot. Working alongside Jordan and Alison, our in-class trades instructors, in hands-on training has also boosted my confidence – they’re patient, supportive, and easy to learn from.

How would you like to give back in the future?
I want to give back by helping others the way I’ve been helped by supporting newcomers in the trades and encouraging people in my community to take this path.

What advice do you have for others interested in the skilled trades or Building Up?
Sit in a quiet place and ask yourself what you truly want. Once you figure it out, stay committed, show up, and trust the process. When you do, doors will open and your life will slowly change. Building Up is unique; they work with you until you succeed. 

About Building Up 

Building Up is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to expanding access to sustainable, well-paying careers in the construction trades for individuals facing barriers to employment. Our mission is to advance economic mobility and break cycles of systemic inequity by creating clear, supported pathways from training to long-term careers.

We deliver a holistic workforce development model that combines paid pre-apprenticeship training, hands-on employment through our construction social enterprise, and long-term individualized support. Participants receive real-world jobsite experience alongside industry-recognized skills training, supported by trauma-informed case management, career coaching, and alumni services that continue well beyond program completion.

As a self-sustaining contractor, Building Up intentionally takes on construction work to generate training and employment opportunities, ensuring participants can earn while they learn. Through this integrated approach, we strengthen the skilled trades workforce, support inclusive economic growth, and help individuals build lasting stability for themselves, their families, and their communities.