ANN ARBOR – As graduation season nears, ten high school students in Ann Arbor were selected to receive scholarships and grants to support their pursuit of construction related careers. Five scholarships and five Go-To-Work grants totaling $9,000 were provided by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor Foundation (BRAGAAF), a 501 (c) (3) organization. At the annual event, held at BRAG’s Little Lake Event Center, around 100 industry leaders and family members cheered as students were rewarded for their hard work so far. Each student mentioned their plans to continue into higher education, trade school, or being working in various fields ranging from electrician to construction management.
Every year in May, BRAG Ann Arbor hosts such a dinner presentation. Through a public application and interview process recipients are selected for the financial support by the volunteer BRAGAAF Board of Directors. The goal is to encourage further education and training in the construction trades and careers in the industry, and to develop future employees, entrepreneurs, and residential construction industry professionals. Increasing trade education is a popular effort across the country, and this important local effort makes a direct impact on many lives.
The AASBIP students speak highly of the experience and skills they have gained as a result of making it into Ann Arbor’s nationally acclaimed student home building program. Fifteen morning and fifteen afternoon students work alongside building pros and complete the construction of a new home every year. BRAG Ann Arbor also helps to guide the AASBIP’s activities in partnership with Ann Arbor Public Schools. Program’s such as this are a vital part of keeping our workforce supplied with skilled young people, who are in high demand and short supply. This message is echoed in national stories, including the National Signing Day for skilled tradespeople, which Michigan Football’s Coach Jim Harbaugh presented on May 4th in partnership with SkillsUSA.
Alumni have first-hand experience with every stage of the home building process. Over the course of the year they are taught about home design, learn to use tools, work with and lead a team, and improve soft skills to help them become successful professionals. The program’s 52nd home is located at 300 Sedgewood Lane in Ann Arbor, and is ahead of schedule as it plans to be on the market this summer. It will be the Program’s biggest home yet, and will be featured among the 9 homes in BRAG Ann Arbor’s Parade of Homes, June 24 & 25. Event ticket proceeds will in-turn go into the BRAGAA Foundation funds. The scholarships and grants are not just for AASBIP students, however. The application and requirements are explained in detail here.
More broadly, housing and construction is a vital force of our economy. It is dependent upon a new generation who has fewer options to try this hands-on work than in the past. There is an ongoing labor shortage due to the skills gap, which impacts the price of home improvement and quality of housing and life in our community.
Supporting the BRAGAA Foundation is a great way to improve these conditions while bettering the lives of young people with bright futures! The BRAGAAF welcomes contributions by check or by calling the office at 734-996-0100.
We wish to thank everyone who donates to the BRAG Ann Arbor Foundation and participates in our fundraisers for making the scholarship and grants possible! Special thanks to AASBIP instructors Mark Valchine and Grant Welch as well as our volunteer BRAG Ann Arbor Foundation Board of Directors.
MAIN PHOTO: (L-R) Patrick Hansen, Alex Enrique-Shakespeare, Brandon McLaughlin, Zyers Ruff II, Head Instructor for AASBIP Mark Valchine II, Griffin Denomme, Achira Kerschbaum, Tyler Sweet, Josef Oginsky, Brandon Garduno, Pedro Salazar
