PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StrataTech Education Group partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) to provide $30,000 in scholarships to five Club members in support of the high-demand around skilled trades education and careers. The scholarships will allow five high school graduates to pursue an education at StrataTech’s The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) next fall, giving them the opportunity to join programs in HVAC or welding.
“This new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley will help us continue our mission to educate the next generation of skilled trade professionals,” said Mary Kelly, CEO of StrataTech Education Group. “Not only will these scholarships provide Boys & Girls Club members with quality education and set them up to have a life-long career, but they will help keep up with the demand of skilled trades careers, especially right here in Arizona. It’s a win-win.”
StrataTech Education Group will award a total of four $5,000 scholarships - two of the scholarships will be designated for RSI’s HVAC program and the other two will be designated for RSI’s welding program. Additionally, one $10,000 scholarship will go to a female student to support women in the trades. Eligible students must be a 2022 high school graduate, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and an active participant in the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. Applicants have until Sept. 1, 2022, to complete the scholarship request form and all scholarship recipients will be selected prior to Sept. 15, 2022.
“At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, we are committed to the academic success of our Club members and are confident these generous scholarships from StrataTech will help pave a successful career path for each recipient,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. “We are thrilled to partner with StrataTech to invest in our members and build a stronger, more diverse workforce for the future.”
These scholarships come at a time when skilled trade professions are on the rise and demand for skilled trade workers grows. A recent StrataTech survey found that 57% of Americans considered enrolling in a trade school in the past 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the skills trade industry will grow 10% between 2018 and 2028, creating about 704,000 new jobs.
For more information on StrataTech Education Group, visit stratatech.com.
About StrataTech Education Group
StrataTech Education Group focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, StrataTech Education Group’s portfolio includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), Tulsa Welding School (TWS), Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville, and Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (TWSTC). For more information, visit www.StrataTech.com.
About The Refrigeration School, Inc.
The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) was founded in Phoenix in 1965 and has been training students for sustainable HVAC careers for more than 60 years. Offering hands-on education with a strong emphasis on the highly sought-after electrical skills, diagnostic and mechanical technology proficiency employers seek, RSI’s programs include Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Technologies, Electro-Mechanical Technologies (HVAC-R), Mechanical Maintenance Engineering, and Welding. RSI is an ACCSC accredited school and licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. For more information, including graduation rates and the median debt of students who complete RSI programs, visit https://www.rsi.edu/ or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ)
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 27+ Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For 75 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity and opportunity for youth through academic, social, and workforce opportunities. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults and their community. For more information: visit www.bgcaz.org and @BGCArizona on social channels.
