Scholarship links education with local jobs in northern New Brunswick
Even before graduating this spring, Nicolas Castonguay knew he had a full-time job lined up in his chosen career, and the Northern New Brunswick Trades & Engineering Scholarship helped him along the way. One of the scholarship’s inaugural recipients, Nicolas is now proudly a millwright apprentice at the Saint-Léonard Sawmill.
Launched in 2023 by the J.D. Irving, Limited Woodlands and Sawmills divisions, the scholarship supports students pursuing careers in high demand fields in engineering and skilled trades. It helps cover tuition fees, provides paid work term employment and offers recipients full time work in Sawmills and Woodlands operations after they graduate.
Nicolas, of Grand Falls, N.B., was one of eight students to receive the scholarship in its first year. After studying at the New Brunswick Community College Youghall campus in Bathurst, N.B., Nicolas finished his program in spring 2025 and had a job lined up in St. Léonard, N.B., not far from where he grew up.
“The scholarship helped me by allowing me to focus more on studying and less on worrying about money. It also opened doors to opportunities I might not have had otherwise,” Nicolas said. “It was reassuring for me that I would have a good job after college and not need to search.”
In order for home communities to be the places local youth choose to stay and build their careers, there needs to be diverse employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits in these communities post-graduation – and matching education and training with these jobs is key. The Northern New Brunswick Trades & Engineering Scholarship aims to help fill this gap.
Open to students living in northern New Brunswick, the scholarship is part of ongoing efforts to develop a pipeline of local talent for jobs in the JDI Sawmills and Woodlands divisions in this region.
“I chose this career because I've always been passionate about solving problems. I enjoy the challenge of finding creative solutions and seeing the positive impact my work has,” Nicolas said. “So far, I like the variety of tasks and the opportunity to learn new things every day.”
The working forest helps local communities and economies grow through jobs, taxes, population growth and retention. It also establishes a strong foundation for the next generation by enabling scholarships and education initiatives while also providing well-paying jobs, so young people stay in their communities after graduating.
Learn more about how the working forest works for communities in the 2024 J.D. Irving, Limited Forest Supply Chain Climate, Conservation and Community Impact Report: www.jdirvingsustainability.com.
