A vocational education scholarship program established by the Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego Apprenticeship Training Trust can help San Diego County high school students achieve their career goals in the construction industry.

Applications are currently open for the ABC Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. Any high school senior currently enrolled in a construction class or training program in San Diego County is eligible to apply.

Scholarship recipients become apprentices, which means the student is a full-time employee with benefits. Apprentices combine on-the-job training working under the supervision of a skilled crafts-person with formal education through ABC’s Apprenticeship Training Trust program. All tuition costs are covered.

Apprenticeship training programs provide many advantages, including paid on-the-job training; certification of professional skills at the state and federal level; college credits from the San Diego Community College District; family medical and dental benefits; training in the latest technology and building codes; and best of all, an excellent career as a skilled construction professional with numerous opportunities to advance into supervisory roles, or even company ownership.

To apply, students must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average and must be on track to graduate in Spring 2013. Students must submit the following to ABC San Diego:

· A completed application form.
· A one-page essay describing why he/she wants to be a skilled craftsperson. It must be trade specific.
· Examples of community service.
· Letters of recommendation, for example from teachers, scout leaders, work supervisors, coaches.
· Any previous construction experience through work, school projects or internships.

These items and a current high school transcript must be submitted to ABC San Diego no later than Monday, April 1, 2013.

For more information about the ABC San Diego Apprenticeship Training Trust Scholarship Program, visit http://www.abcsd.org.