Midland Area Construction Talent Attraction Program Application Deadline Approaching

Applicants have until August 15th to apply for the Midland Area Construction Talent Attraction Program!

The Construction Talent Attraction Program is specifically designed to attract and retain individuals who have completed postsecondary education milestones and plan to work for construction businesses in Midland County. The Program addresses the decreasing employment trend in the construction industry within Midland County compared to the state of Michigan.

Key features of the Program include:

• Loan Repayment: The Program offers a unique form of support by providing loan repayment, often called a post-graduation or “reverse” scholarship, to individuals choosing to work in the construction industry in Midland County.
• Talent Attraction: Recognizing the community’s critical needs, talent attraction programs like this are vital in bringing skilled individuals to Midland County.
• Educational Partnership: Unlike traditional scholarships that assist in completing postsecondary education, this Program helps individuals who have completed their education and, in addition, helps to meet the needs of the local construction industry.

To qualify for the Construction Talent Attraction Program, recipients must:

• Be employed or self-employed in a construction-related business with a physical office in Midland County.
• Reside in Midland, Gladwin, or Clare Counties (all served by Midland Area Community Foundation).
• Hold a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, or certification in a building-related trade or skill from a college or community college.

The Community Foundation recognizes that strategically focusing on the construction industry to alleviate potential challenges and contribute to the region’s overall growth moves Midland County toward becoming a community where everyone thrives. By investing in this talent attraction program, the Foundation aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, supporting the community and the local construction sector. “The Community Foundation innovatively supports a wide array of community needs,” said Mortensen. “Our focus on critical trends, including talent attraction and retention, is an essential area of focus for the Foundation.”

The Midland Area Construction Talent Attraction Program is proud to honor its first four awardees. Recently, members of the Program’s committee and local employers heard the stories of the Program’s first-year honorees. Congratulations to Tanner Wascher (Fisher Contracting), Jacob Pyles (Orvosh Builders), Aaron Abbott (Three Rivers Construction), and Katlin Adams (Three Rivers Construction). We look forward to the tremendous impact they’ll continue to have in the Midland community.

To learn more or apply, please visit https://www.midlandfdn.org/initiative/constructiontalent/ or email the Foundation at info@midlandfoundation.org.