Chamber Foundation and Scholarship
Many scholarship opportunities exist for the students who excel in academics and are focusing on careers such as lawyers, engineers, doctors, and teachers. However, there are fewer scholarships available for students who seek training above the high school level in disciplines other than the traditional four-year college route. This scholarship opportunity focuses on filling that niche. The goal of the Scholarship Committee is to encourage students to consider the local impact of technical and vocational career choices.
While there are numerous career opportunities for skilled workers in the Roanoke Valley, local employers report difficulty filling job openings with qualified employees. Recognizing this dilemma, the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation created these scholarships to encourage students to pursue further studies in technical and vocational careers. Some of the jobs available locally include; auto mechanics and technicians, HVAC specialists, construction workers, medical technicians, graphic designers, nurses, computer technicians, brick masons, welders, clerical workers (including customer service data entry clerks), warehouse and inventory control workers.
It is hoped with the support of these $2,000 scholarships, it will encourage our young citizens to remain in the local area to fill the void many employers feel they now experience.
The primary objective of the Scholarship Committee is getting these applications into the hands of students who have pursued technical and vocational courses of study and show potential for meeting the intended goal of joining our local workforce. We request your assistance in reaching this goal. GPA will not be the primary factor in the selection process.
While it is not our intention to exclude consideration of any deserving student, it should be kept in mind that the main purpose of this scholarship is to help fill the local technical and vocational career void.
In the selection process, emphasis will be placed on need, work ethic, and skilled training for career goals.
