Farmington, CT – The KBE Foundation continues its annual scholarship awards program to encourage graduating technical high school seniors and university students enrolled in construction management courses to pursue industry careers.
Now in its ninth year, the foundation’s annual Construction Careers Scholarship program awarded $1000 scholarships to 18 students pursuing post-high school careers in the commercial construction industry at a special awards night on May 16 at Farmington Gardens in Farmington. In all, the foundation has awarded a total of $150,000 to 137 students since launching the program in 2015.
The KBE Foundation’s Construction Career Scholarships may be used to pay college tuition or the costs of post-high school education programs, certifications, and tools needed in the pursuit of a construction career. These programs include training programs in carpentry, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trades; certification classes for state licensure; and 2- and 4-year degree programs in construction management.
“The need to encourage young women and men to get into this industry is huge,” said Robert Dunn, Esq, senior vice president at KBE Building Corporation and chair of the KBE Foundation. “The construction industry in Connecticut and across the nation is facing a dire shortage of qualified workers, from trade craftworkers to construction project managers and superintendents. At KBE, we believe we have a responsibility to encourage young women and men to pursue construction careers and help ensure a solid workforce for the future. One challenge is convincing students and their families that a construction career can be highly rewarding, both financially and personally.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Aidan Mendell, Abbott Technical High School – electrician
- Gina Barriere, Abbott Technical High School – carpentry, construction management
- Matthew Georgoulis, Abbott Technical High School – electrician
- Jaidan Sykes, AI Prince Technical High School – plumbing
- Daniel Rodriquez, AI Prince Technical High School – plumbing, HVAC
- Eduardo Jimenez, AI Prince Technical High School – plumbing
- Luis Mejia, Bullard Havens Technical High School – electrician
- Brady Nottage, Ellis Technical High School – carpentry
- Jameson Banks, Ellis Technical High School – masonry
- Nicholas Ryan, Ellis Technical High School – masonry
- Cameron Strasbaugh, Goodwin Technical High School – plumbing
- Zachary Haviland, Grasso Technical High School – electrical
- Joseph Montimurro, JM Wright Technical High School – electrical
- Andy Yu, Wilcox Technical High School – electrical
- Janiah Rodriquez, Wilcox Technical High School – carpentry
- Timothy Schweighoffer, Windham Technical High School – carpentry
- Mai-ly Criscuolo, Central Connecticut State University – construction management
- Artur Stamenkovic, Central Connecticut State University – construction management
Guest speakers at the May 16 scholarship awards event included Dunn; Marcie Addy, director of education for the Construction Education Center in Plainville; and Henri Martin, Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore, 31st Senatorial District.
