SkillsUSA and Fine Homebuilding are partnering to create a new scholarship opportunity. Current SkillsUSA members and alumni association members studying in construction-related fields, with a passion for their craft and planning to pursue continued education including #KeepCraftAlive affiliate school programs, community college, undergraduate programs, and industry certifications are eligible for one of five $5,000 scholarships – totaling $25,000 – for the 2017-18 academic year.

Selections will be based on completion of an application, along with a 300-word essay and a letter of support from a teacher, administrator, SkillsUSA advisor, or educational/professional mentor. Winners will be acknowledged at a special reception on Thursday, June 22, 2017, during the 53rd Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

In creating these scholarships, Fine Homebuilding’s focus is on the economics of the construction industry, especially the disparity between the employment demands of a growing housing industry and a shortage of trained qualified labor – the skills gap – which is rocking home building to its core.

“I have always appreciated and respected the work and contributions of SkillsUSA. It has been a long-standing goal of mine to be able to help in their efforts, so we are thrilled to be able to establish this scholarship in partnership with them,” said Fine Homebuilding’s editorial director, Rob Yagid. “This is important work, and Fine Homebuilding is committed to doing all that we can to support and celebrate those who are passionate about pursuing careers in the skilled trades.”

“This amazing sponsorship from Fine Homebuilding will support and recognize America’s future skilled workforce in the construction trades,” said SkillsUSA’s executive director, Tim Lawrence. “This program will help deserving students to continue their education within the field. SkillsUSA is a talent pipeline and a verified skills gap solution. Every year 100,000 SkillsUSA students complete their technical program, job-ready on Day One.”

Nationwide, career and technical education (CTE) encompasses 94 percent of high-school students in the United States and 13 million college/postsecondary students in high schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, four-year universities and more. A renewed emphasis on CTE will be a vital solution to many economic and workforce challenges in the United States, such as high-school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. At a time when opportunity for employment is critical, SkillsUSA and Fine Homebuilding are working to ensure students are equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.

SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials.

For more information, go to http://www.keepcraftalive.org and http://www.SkillsUSA.org.