MAINE BLUE COLLAR SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

THE FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS TO BE USED FOR TOOL-SHIPS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. EACH YEAR WE RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG MAINERS WITH A PASSION FOR THE TRADES AND WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS. THE AVERAGE AGE OF MAINE'S TRADE WORKER IS RISING AND TO SEE THIS SURGE IN YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING THE TRADES IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO REINVIGORATE THE WORKFORCE IN MAINE. THE FOUNDATION HAS PROUDLY REMOVED THE BARRIERS FOR MANY YOUNG MAINERS WITH THE PURCHASE OF TOOLS, GAS TO GET TO CLASS, HOUSING WHILE THEY COMPLETE THEIR PROGRAMS AND TUITION. RECIPIENTS OF A SCHOLARSHIP CAN SUBMIT RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OR THEY CAN SUBMIT THEIR 2ND SEMESTER TRANSCRIPT AND THE FOUNDATION WILL SEND A CHECK DIRECTLY TO THEIR SCHOOL. WE HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN MAINE AS WELL AS THE 27 CTE SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THERE ARE NO PAID POSITIONS WITHIN THE FOUNDATION, IT IS ALL VOLUNTEER EFFORTS, AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FUNDED PRIMARILY BY SMALL BLUE-COLLAR BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT MAINE. MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES HARE CURRENTLY HIRING AND ARE EAGER TO INVEST IN LOCAL YOUNG TALENT. MAINE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP MAY DO SO THROUGH THE MAINE BLUE COLLAR SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION ON THEIR WEBSITE, MAINEBLUECOLLAR.COM.WE RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH MEMIC TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTOR SCHOLARSHIPS. THE GOAL OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS TO INTRODUCE EDUCATORS TO THE BEST-IN-CLASS BUSINESS IN THEIR INDUSTRY. THESE CONNECTIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO HELP INSTRUCTORS PROVIDE THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR THEIR GRADUATING CLASSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.