Manufacturing Scholarship Fund

Brainerd Lakes Area high school students have an opportunity to apply for $1,000 Manufacturing Scholarships each spring. The Scholarships may be used to help cover costs in earning a post-secondary certificate or degrees in manufacturing related careers.  In addition to being  soon-to-graduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, applicants must be enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college or university and be a US citizen, and a resident of the counties of Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd or Wadena when making application.

STUDENTS - CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!
The application portal is now open.  Deadline to apply is March 31, 2024.

The scholarship fund was established in 2017 by the Lakes Area Manufacturers Alliance (LAMA) in partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Initiative Foundation, in response to a need identified by the Central Minnesota manufacturing business community.  It is LAMA's goal to actively engage and build collaboration among manufacturing, education and students.

According to a recent post by the National Association of Manufacturers the manufacturing industry has had more than 2.6 million job openings nationally in 2022 already - a workforce shortage that show little signs of slowing.  Meanwhile, half of all of those jobs don't require a four-year college degree or the debt that goes with it.

Our area manufacturers have raised over $30,000 this calendar year alone.  Business Leaders may contact LAMA for more information on how to support the scholarship fund by emailing Deborah.   Donations may also be made to the Scholarship Fund online HERE

Meet a few of our recent recipients.

Louis

Engineering Technology
Bemidji State University

Evan

Welding & Fabrication
Central Lakes College

Gavin

Engineering Program
SD School of Mines & Technology

Shaun

Engineering Program
University of Minnesota

Lucas

Mechanical Engineering Program
North Dakota State University

Eric

Welding & Fabrication
Central Lakes College

Thomas

Robotics Program
Central Lakes College

Chase

School of Engineering
University of North Dakota

Micah

Welding Program
Central Lakes College

Daniel

Robotics Program
Central Lakes College

Ryan

Robotics Program
Central Lakes College

Mikal

Mechatronics Engineering
Alexandria Technical College

Tyler

Machine Tool Technology
Alexandria Technical College

Jonah

Mechanical Engineering
Central Lakes College