Mission:
Provide economic opportunity for disadvantaged African American men in the Pasadena/Altadena area by offering scholarships for career and technical education at trade schools and community colleges in Los Angeles County. The desired scholarship recipient is 17-24 years of age.
Career and technical education provides a viable alternative for individuals who do not or cannot seek a degree from a college or university. Industry certifications qualify graduates for meaningful careers, and economic viability.
Edson Family Scholarships will support:
- Tuition and academic related expenses up to $7,500.00 with education and training periods up to one year.
- Students attending nonprofit trade schools and community colleges that provide career and technical education and training for skilled labor jobs, along with certificates/diplomas. Programs should have a history of successful job placement.
Examples of industries that require skilled labor and / or technical training:
- Automotive
- Biotechnology
- Commercial Driving
- Computer Programming
- Construction
- Graphic Artistry
- Health Care
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Manufacturing
- Sales
Case for Support
There is a wide skills gap in our country:
- Conventional wisdom in the United States is that a costly, four-year degree is the best path for success and happiness.
- Our culture has glorified the corner office job while unintentionally overlooking the importance of jobs that helped construct the building of that office.
- Alternative learning institutions such as community colleges and trade schools with career and technical training opportunities and / or apprenticeship programs are excellent alternatives for those unable or unwilling to obtain a four-year degree.
- The push for higher education has coincided with the removal of vocational arts from high schools nationwide.
- The effects of this cultural shift have laid the foundation for a widening skills gap and massive student loan debt.
- Millions of skilled jobs are unfilled because no one is trained or willing to do them.
- A significant number of today’s college graduates with jobs aren’t working in their field of study, and collectively owe $1.5 trillion in student loans.
- The solution is a new appreciation for skilled labor. Skilled workers with fulfilling careers and good wages provide the opportunity to thrive in local communities and throughout the nation.
