BATON ROUGE, LA - Today, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), Louisiana Construction Education Foundation (LCEF), Associated Builders and Contractors Pelican Chapter (ABC) and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced the creation of the Jump Start Construction Connect Scholars program, the state's first and only scholarship dedicated exclusively to Jump Start graduates who earn a Jump Start credential and a Louisiana high school diploma and subsequently enroll full time in an LCTCS Construction Pathway Program or an ABC training program the summer or fall immediately following graduation. This scholarship will assist graduates in gaining the necessary training to earn industry employment in construction crafts and STEM-related fields aligned to high-demand and high-income jobs. The scholarship was announced at the LDOE Jump Start Convention.

"The Louisiana Construction Education Foundation is pleased to partner with LCTCS and LDOE to provide funds for high school graduates to continue their education in a construction craft field and successfully find employment," said Milton Graugnard, LCEF board chairman and executive vice president at Cajun Industries, LLC. "Through this investment we will support between 30 and 40 student scholarships annually. The construction industry offers many career growth opportunities through various disciplines including STEM to those who want to participate. As such, the future of the construction industry is exceptionally bright."

"To prosper in today's evolving economy, a high school diploma is no longer enough," said State Superintendent John White. "Louisiana must ensure there is a clear pathway to prosperity for every young man and young woman in this state. We must do so by preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for college and career, and by working together to ensure programs, like the one announced today, are available to guide their next steps."

"Today's announcement is workforce development in its purest form," said Monty Sullivan, LCTCS, president. "This scholarship will impact students across the entire state. It is important for Jump Start students to know there are opportunities in their communities to continue their education at community and technical colleges in the construction field, and that these programs can lead to good paying careers.

Eligibility Requirements 

Any high school senior who has a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credential, will earn a Jump Start Career Diploma, and enrolls fulltime in an LCTCS Construction Pathway Program or an ABC training program in the summer or fall semester immediately following high school graduation. 

Scholarship Award 

For the 2020-2021 school year, up to 30 one-time scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 per recipient. In the following years, up to 40 one-time scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 per recipient. 

Selection Criteria 

Recipients of this scholarship will be selected by the LCEF Board based on the strength of the industry credential(s) they earned in high school, letters of recommendation, participation in career and technical student organizations, and academic achievements such as GPA, career and technical course work, and skills competition recognition. 

Timeline

Application Release	January 28, 2020  (LDOE will distribute applications to eligible students)
Application Deadline	March 13, 2020
Selection of Recipients	March 16-20, 2020
Recipient Notification	April 1, 2020
Awards Ceremony	April 14, 2020 (Location and time to be announced)

Questions about the application process or criteria should be directed to [email protected].

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