The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently awarded 28 scholarships to students focused on the fields of civil engineering, construction management, and engineering technology. A total of 86 students are currently part of this 76-year-old scholarship program that provides tuition assistance, work experience, and full-time employment.
[Above photo by KYTC]
“This scholarship program has paved the way for many students by removing financial barriers so they can realize their dream of attaining higher education to begin an engineering or construction career,” noted Governor Andy Beshear (D) in a statement. “It’s a proven way to retain our talented youth right here in Kentucky, giving them opportunities to improve their communities through safe and efficient transportation.”
Participants in the scholarship program, which is administered by KYTC, receive money for tuition, a paid summer job or co-op, and the guarantee of full-time employment with the agency upon graduation. Recipients agree to serve a year with KYTC for each year of scholarship assistance. If a graduate chooses to go elsewhere before fulfilling the employment obligation, the scholarship must be repaid for each year of unfulfilled employment.
The Civil Engineering Scholarship is for students focusing on a four-year engineering degree and attend the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University or Kentucky State University. It is awarded annually to anywhere from 20 to 30 new students and can be worth up to $59,200, ranging from $7,200 to $7,600 per semester.
Meanwhile, the Construction Management Scholarship – offered for the first time in 2023 – affords graduates an opportunity to work on various transportation infrastructure projects around Kentucky. It is offered for students at Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State, Northern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky. It, too, can be worth more than $59,000, ranging from $7,200 to $7,600 per semester.
Finally, the Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship – established in 2009 – partners with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System or KCTCS. Each scholarship student will receive $3,700 per semester to complete an associate’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from either of the KCTCS campuses in Lexington or Prestonsburg.
The next cycle of applications will begin in November 2024 and the deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.
State departments of transportation engage with students across the educational spectrum – from elementary school through college – to attract them to careers in the industry.
For example, the Division of Aeronautics within the Idaho Transportation Department recently held its annual Aviation Career Education Academy June 26-28; presenting aviation career options to 32 Idaho high school students from around the state.
Those students visited the Boise Air Traffic Control Tower, checked out the Mission Aviation Fellowship’s flight simulator, and toured the Boise Airport, where the biggest draw was seeing the bomb-detecting dog in action. They also visited the Idaho National Guard to learn about aviation career fields in Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft, as well as Skywest to explore airline career and Western Aircraft to explore turbo-prop and business jet aviation.
Meanwhile, the Delaware Department of Transportation recently helped celebrate the seventh class of “Project SEARCH” graduates.
Project SEARCH provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills to help youths with disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.
The program involves an extensive period of training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, long-term job coaching and continuous feedback from teachers, skills trainers and employers.
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