The mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship helps aspiring automotive workers in financial need cover the costs of a skilled trade-related training program.

Much of the workforce has been reared under the notion that achieving a college degree will increase chances of employment opportunities, higher salaries and job security. There may be some merit to this. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates among those with college degrees were lower in 2017. However, not everyone can afford the high expense of attending college. Fortunately, skilled trades in today’s economic climate are in more demand than ever.

An excellent resource for people who demonstrate a strong work ethic and pursue skilled trade training is the 2018 mikeroweWORKS Foundation (MRW) Work Ethic Scholarship. This scholarship program has been integral to many award recipients’training and careers by distributing more than $3 million for trade schools nationwide.

Applicant Requirements for MRW Work Ethic Scholarship

To be considered for the program, the applicant criteria are:

• High school senior class status, high school graduates or passed the GED

• Enrolled or plan to enroll in a trade-related program at an accredited two-year college, vocational or technical school, or approved technical institute in the U.S. (Students enrolled in four-year degree or bachelor’s degree programs are ineligible for this program.)
• Plan to complete a trade-related training program after December 1, 2018

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation this year has set a scholarship application submission deadline of June 4, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time).

Skilled Trade Programs Eligible for the Scholarship

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is looking to decrease the skills gap and create career opportunities for automotive and HVAC technicians, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and others pursuing careers in skilled trades. Here are other training programs that are eligible for the Work Ethic Scholarship:

The Impact of the MRW Work Ethic Scholarship on UTI Graduates

Students of UTI training programs have gone on to great opportunities after graduation. One example of a former UTI student who benefited from the scholarship is Jackson Chartier.

From a young age, Chartier knew he always wanted to have a career in the automotive industry. As a high school student, he loved cars and carried a passion to become a U.S. Army Ranger. But as someone with cerebral palsy, Jackson learned his physical disability made him ineligible to become a Ranger. But he never thought of himself as disadvantaged. Instead, he discovered the means to train at UTI after his high school advisor notified him about the MRW Work Ethic Scholarship Program.

“I’m not even sure I would’ve applied for the scholarship if my counselor didn’t urge me to,” Jackson says. “Then I won. It was a total surprise.”

After Chartier finished high school in 2016, he attended UTI classes and trained as an Express Lube Technician at a local Nissan dealership. Chartier also became a top performer in the Automotive and Diesel Technology II program, and was accepted to attend the Mercedes-Benz DRIVE program¹⁵ at the manufacturer’s new state-of-the-industry facility in Grapevine, Texas.

How UTI Helps Spread Awareness Of The MRW Work Ethic Scholarship

Since its inception in 2008, the MRW Work Ethic Scholarship program has grown tremendously to help students needing financial assistance. In 2017, 22 UTI students received more than $84,000 in MRW Work Ethic Scholarships. This year, students enrolled in automotive, collision repair, CNC machining, diesel, motorcycle, marine, and welding programs will have their MRW Work Ethic scholarship applications considered. UTI is a program sponsor. In addition, UTI will make more than $15 million in sponsored scholarships available to students in 2018.¹⁰

UTI President and CEO Kim McWaters praises scholarship fund founder Mike Rowe for his efforts to help students realize their goals in the automotive industry. “We’re proud to be working alongside someone as passionate as Mike Rowe,” says McWaters. “He’s endlessly educating the public on the opportunities that exist in the skilled trades while also helping to reduce the financial barriers that may be keeping students from pursuing such a career.”

McWaters explains how UTI has spread awareness of the scholarship and improved training access to students. “UTI often supplements the scholarships awarded by the mikeroweWORKS Foundation but also offers many of our own scholarships and grants to students directly,” McWaters says. “We are not only committed to providing state-of-the-industry training but also to making it accessible.”

Contact Information

To complete an online application for the MRW Work Ethic Scholarship, you can check the mikeroweWORKS Scholarship Program website.

You can also contact with the organization via email at mikeroweWORKS@applyISTS.com or call then toll-free at 877-290-0593.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT).