Leesburg, Va. — SkillsUSA and Fine Homebuilding have teamed up for a fifth year of partnership to offer a scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA members. Passionate SkillsUSA members studying in construction-related fields are eligible for one of multiple $2,500 scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year.
Selections are based on an application, a 300-word essay and a letter of support from a teacher, administrator, SkillsUSA advisor or mentor. The funds can be used for further trade education including community colleges, undergraduate programs or industry certifications.
In creating the scholarships, Fine Homebuilding is addressing a shortage of trained qualified labor across North America that is fueling a widening skills gap. In addition, they are creating a community of passionate and like-minded craftspeople who are helping to change the face of the construction industry.
“In both good times and challenging times, Fine Homebuilding has always remained committed to its community. It’s why we’re particularly proud to continue offering our financial and educational support for those who are committed to pursuing careers in the trades,” said #KeepCraftAlive executive director Rob Yagid. “With our community of designers, builders, remodelers, suppliers and industry partners by our side, we welcome this year’s class of scholarship recipients as they join us in changing the face of construction by upholding the highest levels of professionalism and building standards.”
For Fine Homebuilding editorial director Brian Pontolilo, the mission is clear. “The past year has been a challenging time for many, including tradespeople and students whose professional lives and studies have become more complicated and challenging than any other period in recent memory. Awarding these scholarships has always been a highlight for the team at Fine Homebuilding and #KeepCraftAlive, and it feels particularly important this year. It has been so encouraging to see our industry come together. I can’t remember a time when designers, builders, and other tradespeople — along with building material manufacturers and tool companies, educators, and even us in the media — have come together to share information and support one another. It’s a silver lining and we feel grateful to be able to play a small role. No doubt the next generation will carry the torch forward.”
“Fine Homebuilding supports America’s future skilled workforce in the construction trades,” said SkillsUSA executive director Chelle Travis. “The #KeepCraftAlive scholarships help our deserving students continue their education within the field. SkillsUSA is a verified talent pipeline and skills gap solution, but we couldn’t accomplish our mission without the support of partners like Fine Homebuilding.”
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen our nation’s skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. This SkillsUSA Framework empowers every student to succeed at work and in life, while helping to close the skills gap in which millions of positions go unfilled. Through SkillsUSA’s championships program and curricula, employers have ensured schools are teaching relevant technical skills, and with SkillsUSA’s new credentialing process, they can now assess how ready potential employees are for the job. SkillsUSA has more than 372,000 annual members nationwide in high schools, middle schools and colleges, covering over 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, and is recognized by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor as integral to career and technical education. With the addition of alumni, membership last year was 434,141. SkillsUSA receives in-kind and financial support from more than 650 national partners. They have served more than 13.6 million members since 1965. For more information: www.skillsusa.org.
Fine Homebuilding is the most trusted and authoritative resource for the residential construction and remodeling industry and has launched the #KeepCraftAlive campaign to help close the skills gap. Fine Homebuilding sources its content from the job sites and design offices of the most qualified and talented builders and designers in the industry to empower a global workforce with the ability to create the most advanced homes possible. Driven by the ethos that exceptional homes are possible, and that craftsmanship is an honorable and worthy pursuit, Fine Homebuilding has become the preferred media brand for professionals, deeply knowledgeable enthusiasts, industry influencers, and forward-thinking companies, who are collectively committed to shaping the way we build.
With the #KeepCraftAlive campaign, Fine Homebuilding is leveraging all of its resources to bring awareness to the skills gap cause, partnering with industry organizations and influencers to build awareness of the skills training and educational opportunities that exist in this country, and funding student scholarships with Skills USA to support those who want to pursue a path in the trades. Fine Homebuilding is committed to celebrating the value of true craftsmanship in all trades in order to influence the cultural narrative about what it means to be a respected, successful professional. For more information about Fine Homebuilding and the #KeepCraftAlive initiative, visit: www.keepcraftalive.org.
Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, SkillsUSA 703-777-8810 jshort@skillsusa.org or kkitzel@skillsusa.org
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The SkillsUSA Advocacy Site is a free service for SkillsUSA members to reach the news media or contact policymakers with your message.
