Paper Excellence donates to scholarship programs

Paper Excellence announced that it is donating $50,000 to the College of the Rockies to create a Paper Excellence student awards scholarship program. Over the next five years, ten $1,000 scholarship awards will be distributed each year.

The company operates Skookumchuck Pulp mill which is located just north of Cranbrook and Kimberley in the East Kootenays. The awards are meant to encourage and recognize local youth with good academic achievement in high school who are enrolled in programs related to the operation of a pulp mill such as heavy-duty equipment technician, millwright, welder or engineer. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, and/or financial need.

“We state in our Core Values that we are an economic pillar and a partner in our operating communities,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, and Corporate Communications. “Investing in young people and supporting the development of the local workforce lets us live that value by contributing to local prosperity and well-being through education. The College of the Rockies is well placed to provide this training with seven campuses in the region. It serves a regional population of close to 83,000 people and provides instruction to approximately 2100 full-time equivalent (FTE) students.”

The company also announced the donation of $50,000 to Vancouver Island University (VIU) to create a Paper Excellence student awards scholarship program. Over the next five years, ten $1,000 scholarship awards will be distributed each year.

Paper Excellence operates two mills on Vancouver Island­—Catalyst Crofton and Catalyst Port Alberni—and one mill on the Sunshine Coast—Howe Sound Pulp & Paper. The awards are meant to encourage and recognize Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast youth. They will be available to students with a demonstrated strong work ethic and a positive attitude who have enrolled in programs related to the operation of a pulp mill such as heavy mechanical trades, power engineering, heavy equipment operator or welding.

“As we continue to build our business strategy for our coastal operations, we know it’s important to invest in the community,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, and Corporate Communications. “Investing in young people and supporting the development of the local workforce makes sense for us. Vancouver Island University is well placed to provide this training with four campuses on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and a variety of relevant programs on offer.”