The Maine Chapter recently presented the Maine Community College System a check for $54,000 to establish a scholarship trust. Scholarships will be available through the MCCS for women who are enrolled in any of the community colleges who are pursuing a career in construction who need financial assistance. The Chapter continues to award scholarships to Maine students in any college, university or community college graduating from high school or returning to school who are also pursuing a construction career.

The NAWIC Region 14 Block Kids winner was announced last week, and the winner was the Maine Chapter’s entry, Hannah Herman, a Girl Scout from Westbrook. The Block-Kids Building Program is a national building program competition that is sponsored on the local level by NAWIC chapters and other organizations. The award winning program, sponsored by the NAWIC Education Foundation, introduces children to the construction industry in an effort to create an awareness of and to promote an interest in future careers in one of the many facets of the industry. The program is open to all elementary school children in grades 1- 6. The competition involves the construction of various structures with interlocking blocks and three of the following additional items: a small rock, string, foil, and poster board. Local winners advance to Regional competition, and one semi-finalist from each region is entered in the National Program competition. National prizes are awarded to the top three projects.

The Maine Chapter will be cosponsoring the second Construction Career Day at the Capital Area Technical Center on May 15. The National Construction Career Day Center works with groups all over the country providing guidelines and support in an effort to introduce junior and senior high school students to careers in construction. Students have the opportunity to gain hands on experiences in various trades such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and heating, and also get the opportunity to operation dump trucks and heavy equipment. Contractors will also be on hand to discuss employment opportunities.