Leesburg, Va. — SkillsUSA and Fine Homebuilding teamed up for a third year of partnership to offer a scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA members. Passionate SkillsUSA members studying in construction-related fields who are planning to pursue continued education are eligible for one of 14 $2,500 scholarships for the 2020-21 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 what is known as the skills gap. In addition, they’re creating a community of passionate and like-minded craftsmen and women who are helping to change the face of the construction industry.
This year, in addition to developing the scholarship fund during these challenging and unprecedented times when schools have been closed due to COVID-19, Fine Homebuilding has also partnered with SkillsUSA to offer SkillsUSA instructors and students a free three month digital membership subscription to bring students the online expertise and training resources they need to foster their continued learning and growth when pursuing the trades.
“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 Justin Fink, the mission is clear. “Helping to solve the skills gap is important to us, but that starts with sending a strong message to anybody who has ever felt the pull towards being a tradesman of any kind — we want to assure them that this is truly a rewarding path, and one that shouldn’t be discouraged.” He adds, “I’ve never met a trade school graduate who regretted taking that path, because it offers such a well-rounded education that would take years of jobsite work to equal. That’s why I’m so excited that we’re able to create this path for aspiring students and give them the opportunity to invest in their future.”
Fine Homebuilding publisher Renee Jordan adds, “It is such a fulfilling experience to be able to impact the lives of students and bring financial support to those who want to pursue a career in the trades. We are especially grateful for the support and dedication of our long-standing industry partners, who have stepped up to demonstrate their commitment to this issue as well, including our Platinum partner, Pella Windows and Doors, as well as Feeney, among others.”
“Fine Homebuilding supports and recognizes America’s future skilled workforce in the construction trades,” said SkillsUSA’s executive director, Chelle Travis. “The #KeepCraftAlive scholarships helps our deserving students to continue their education within the field. SkillsUSA is a talent pipeline and a verified skills gap solution, but we couldn’t accomplish our mission without the support of partners like Fine Homebuilding. Every year 100,000 SkillsUSA students complete their technical program, job-ready on Day One.”
For more information, go to: www.keepcraftalive.org/
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 long 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 paid members nationwide in high schools, colleges and middle schools, 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 our alumni, membership is 434,141. We have served nearly 14 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.
Pella Corporation designs and manufacturers windows and doors for residential homes and commercial applications. The company is headquartered in Pella, Iowa and employs more than 7,000 people with 15 manufacturing locations and more than 200 showrooms across the country. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pressroom.pella.com. Follow Pella on Facebook, YouTube, Houzz, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Feeney, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high quality architectural products that enhance the spaces where people live, work and play. Feeney residential and commercial construction products for exterior or interior applications include CableRail stainless steel cable assemblies, Quick-Connect® auto-locking cable fittings, DesignRail® aluminum railing systems with optional LED lighting, stationary Awning Kits, stainless steel Architectural Rods, and the Trellis Collection. Since 1948, Oakland, California-based Feeney has been committed to providing construction professionals and DIY homeowners with innovative, easy-to-use products and unsurpassed service. For more information or the location of a dealer near you, please visit www.feeneyinc.com.
Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, SkillsUSA 703-777-8810 jshort@skillsusa.org or kkitzel@skillsusa.org
For more information about SkillsUSA, contact:
SkillsUSA Inc. is a national nonprofit and tax-exempt student organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, Section (501)(c)(3).
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