Scholarship Value $1,000

Number of Scholarships 9

This scholarship is named after Gail Smyth, retired executive director of Skills Ontario, in recognition of the many years of service and dedication that Gail has given to Skills Ontario.  Gail was the executive director until her retirement in 2017.  Gail had and still has a tremendous amount of affection for Skills Ontario.

Gail first became involved with Skills Ontario as a volunteer in 1990, immersing herself in numerous roles and responsibilities.  She was appointed executive director, a full-time position, in 1997.  She took a fledgling venture to become a dynamic, province-wide organization.

In the beginning, two programs were offered across Ontario: the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, and Cardboard Boat Races, with a total outreach of approximately 3,000 students.

Today, now known as the Skills Ontario Competition, it has grown into the largest of its kind in Canada, attracting over 47,000+ visitors every year.  In fact, the Skills Ontario Competition is so popular with students that seven of the 75+ contests require contestants to first earn their eligibility at provincial qualifying competitions.

Many other programs have taken flight under Gail’s leadership, such as the highly sought-after-in-school presentation delivered in both official languages to over 130,000 students a year.  The year-long calendar of events also includes young women’s regional conferences, the young women’s conference held at the Skills Ontario Competition, summer camps, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) conferences and Trade and Tech Days, and a new offering, the junk drawer races which replaced the Cardboard Boat Races.

Skills Ontario has come a long way from the early days when Gail first took the helm; building the organization into a vibrant and impactful organization that now reaches over one million students every year.

Skills Ontario honours all the love, enthusiasm, and work that Gail Smyth has put into the organization and are proud to name the Skills Ontario Scholarship after her.

Scholarship Eligibility

1. You possess a Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant status, or you are an Ontario resident.
2. You must have earned high school credits during the current school year (September 2025 to June 2026) and will graduate in the spring, summer, or fall of 2026.
3. You received a bronze, silver, or gold medal at the provincial competition (2026 Skills Ontario Competition.)
4. You are pursuing a post-secondary education as an apprentice or through a post-secondary institution within the Province of Ontario.

Submission Process

• Include two letters of reference from teachers at the high school you attended along with proof of volunteer work/community services.
• Return your completed application, two letters of reference, and proof of volunteer work/community services postmarked no later than the deadline to: Gael Loro, gloro@skillsontario.com