At 3M, we know the value of skilled trades. That’s why we are working with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to inspire future technical workers.
In April, at an event styled after the NCAA’s National Signing Day, 50 students were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to support their education in skilled trades.
“NC3 is trying to bring the excitement and enthusiasm [of choosing a school] and bring visibility to students who choose to pursue technical skills,” said Jane Hannon, social justice manager in 3M Human Resources. “This was a project that we knew would improve, inspire and transform the lives of students.”
The Skilled Trades-3M Transformational Scholarship is aligned with our ongoing commitment to create five million unique STEM and skilled trade learning experiences for underrepresented groups by the end of 2025.
“We know our customers have labor shortages in the skilled trades, and we understand students from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in those fields,” said Martha Bennett, vice president, Global Marketing Excellence, 3M Safety & Industrial Business Group. “It is a perfect intersection where we can help solve a 3M customer issue and a community issue at the same time.”
Jacqueline Berry, 3Mgives senior manager, Education Initiatives, said experiences like the scholarship program and 3M’s community work help connect students from underrepresented groups to in-demand, but unrecognized career paths.
“There’s a lack of understanding of what jobs are available out there,” she said. “At 3M, we’ve been finding ways to increase the awareness of STEM and skilled trade jobs and support the development of career pathways for students to decide on a STEM career or a skilled trade opportunity.”
With the help of 3M scholarships, students from diverse backgrounds can better build the valuable, technical knowledge needed to succeed in a crucial job field.
