Supporting the Industry’s Future

The National Center for Construction Education and Resources projects 41% of the construction workforce will retire over the next 5 years. To address the shrinking workforce is dependent on a multi-pronged approach to recruitment. The organizations and programs that are focused on training and replacing those workers do incredible work. Supporting through scholarships is invaluable for students.

This is why you see AWC out on the golf course. We are not only supporting our partners in the industry, but their scholarship programs. This year we were in 4 tournaments in addition to our own. DIGIN Midwest (formerly MUCA) awards scholarships to post-secondary students pursuing construction careers. AGC of MN supports construction students through scholarships. TBG Education Foundation focuses on trades scholarship matching and direct donations to MN school programs to expose youth to construction. MAPA donates to academic institution construction programs. These partner organizations also showed up at AWC’s event to support.

As you have probably heard, AWC has donated over $300,000.00 in 20+ years to women in the Minnesota construction industry. We are so grateful for the support from this industry and are fortunate to have seen the success stories of our recipients. So many of these women are trailblazers in the industry, continue involvement with AWC and desire to give back. A few that stand out in my memory:

Tansey Cregan – (2009) Tansey works as a project manager in the industry staying in regular contact with AWC and referring people to us.

Stacy Arnold (2012 & 2013) worked as an RJM Project Manager, became their Safety Director, and served on the AWC Board of Directors. In 2024, Stacy was hired as the Director of Safety and CHASE program at AGC of MN.

Rachel Dana (2013) was just starting at Ryan Companies when she was selected as a Helen Baker Memorial Scholarship Recipient. From Project Manager to Project Executive, Rachel is currently Ryan Companies’ first female Director of Construction.

Mindy Heinkle (2015) A construction management student at Dunwoody and the Helen Baker Recipient, Mindy has spent her career with MnDOT starting as a program specialist and project manager, she is currently the Director of Advancing Equity.

Nicole O’Connor Nicole received an electrical apprentice scholarships for 3 consecutive years. She continues to work with women entering the industry and is currently a journeyworker at Hunt. This summer she golfed in the AWC FUNdraiser tournament.

Katie Petersen (2017) Katie completed her plumbing certificate and worked in the field as a plumber. She moved into estimating and is currently a project manager for Muska. Katie showed up at a Newcomer Luncheon for AWC and subsequently encouraged Muska to become a member.

Michaela Sylvester (Kraus-Anderson) and Eva Sharot (Knutson) received scholarships in 2021. Today they are working for members as construction managers. They regularly attend AWC events and are both serving on the AWC Scholarship Committee helping select the next recipients.

We are proud of the work we do to support the industry’s future workforce. AWC is grateful to all of you for your support through the years. A thank you note from one recipient stated, “the scholarship from AWC encouraged me to believe in myself knowing you supported me”. That is why we do this!

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AWC’s scholarship application period runs each year from February 1 – April 30.
Visit our Scholarship Page to learn more.