Two leading Maine organizations, Maine Blue Collar (MBC) Scholarship Foundation and Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAME) are combining efforts this year to award more than $100,000 in student and instructor scholarships for the Maine trades and manufacturing sectors. MAME and the Foundation are expected to fund more than 100 students and instructors statewide with scholarships between $500 to $2500 each.
The scholarships are available to high school students throughout the state and can be used for tools, books, uniforms, tuition and/or housing. The instructor scholarships will cover the cost of working with a best-in-class Maine business, in the instructor’s specific trade, for one week.
D&G Machine of Gorham hosted a kickoff event on January 15 that included students who had previously received scholarships from the Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation.
“As a proud Mainer, we all have a vested interest in the growth and success of our younger generations, as well as the growth and success of Maine’s economy,” said Shawn Moody, founder of Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation and owner of Moody’s Collision Center.
“With these scholarships, it’s our goal to restore the pride, dignity and legacy of working in the trades by giving young people occupational equality and opening up more career opportunities with little to no student debt,” Moody added.
“Maine manufacturers are in desperate need of skilled labor for high tech manufacturing positions of all levels,” said Lisa Martin, Executive Director of Manufacturing Association of Maine (MAME). “We want to fill the void with future skilled workers in the trades and manufacturing. Our past scholarship program has helped to do this. But now, with the partnership of the Maine MBC Scholarship Foundation, we can double our efforts.”
MBC Scholarship Foundation is funded by several leading Maine companies including D&G Machine, Risbara Bros., Gilman Electrical, Rowe Ford, Harbison Plumbing, Gorham Sand and Gravel, Scoville Foley Team, and Augusta Fuel Company.
In total, Maine BCS Foundation will award $75,000 in student scholarships. Also, through the Foundation, MEMIC is sponsoring $24,000 in scholarships for instructors in the trades.
The Manufacturing Association of Maine will double the amount of scholarships it will award. Companies supporting MAME’s program include McCann Fabrication, Prescott Metal, Key Bank, Saunders Electronics, Kennebec Technologies, Mountain Machine Works, Constellation Energy, Nichols Portland, Montalvo Corp. and many more.
Students and instructors interested in applying for the Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation awards can apply at www.mainebluecollar.com.
Those students applying for scholarships specifically in manufacturing can apply at www.mainemfg.com/students.