AWS Foundation 2025 Welding Scholarships: Empowering the Maritime Industry’s Future
The maritime industry’s demand for skilled welders is on the rise, making welding education and scholarships more crucial than ever. The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation has announced it is now accepting scholarship applications for 2025 from welding students across North America. With a deadline of March 1, 2025, this opportunity is set to empower the next generation of welders, bolstering the maritime industry and other critical sectors.
The Growing Demand for Skilled Welders in the Maritime Industry
Welding is a vital skill in the maritime industry, essential for shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance. As the industry continues to grow, so does the need for qualified welders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3% from 2021 to 2031.
AWS Foundation Scholarships: A Beacon of Opportunity
The AWS Foundation’s scholarships support welding education at every level, from short-term training programs to degree-based learning. In 2024, the foundation awarded scholarships to more than 1,200 welding students, with financial support ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000 per recipient. This investment in welding education is playing a critical role in ensuring a pipeline of talented professionals for the maritime industry and other sectors.
2024 Scholarship Impact: A Breakdown
In 2024, the AWS Foundation’s scholarships benefited students attending more than 400 academic and training institutions across all 50 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Notably:
- 64% of scholarship recipients pursued technical school education, addressing the critical need for skilled welders in construction and manufacturing industries.
- 25% of scholarship recipients were female, far surpassing the industry participation rate of 5.6%.
Top Welding Schools in 2024
Several institutions stood out for the number of scholarships received in 2024:
- Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI) – 121 scholarships totaling $350,000
- Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, PA) – 51 scholarships totaling $152,500
- Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (Troy, OH) – 49 scholarships totaling $67,000
- Kentucky Welding Institute – 43 scholarships totaling $53,500
- Western Welding Academy (Gillette, WY) – 33 scholarships totaling $36,000
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) – 32 scholarships totaling $98,500
- Tulsa Welding School (Jacksonville, FL) – 26 scholarships totaling $28,500
- Brigham Young University-Idaho (Rexburg, ID) – 25 scholarships totaling $80,000
- Arkansas Elite Welding Academy (Quitman, AR) – 25 scholarships totaling $38,000
- Missouri Welding Institute (Nevada, MO) – 24 scholarships totaling $24,000
Applying for AWS Foundation Scholarships
All students in welding and related fields are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to help fund their education. Applications are available at scholarship.aws.org.
Conclusion
The AWS Foundation’s 2025 welding scholarships represent a significant opportunity for aspiring welders and a potential boon for the maritime industry. By investing in welding education, the AWS Foundation is helping to create a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the maritime industry and other critical sectors.
“Skilled trades education is the foundation of a strong economy and thriving communities,” said Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the AWS Foundation. With the 2025 scholarships, the AWS Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of welding and the industries that rely on it.
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