Metro East Sun

High school seniors in Madison and Bond counties who will be attending Lewis and Clark Community College, Southwestern Illinois College or Kaskaskia College may now apply for the Great River Workforce Development Corporation Inc. scholarships, Madison County announced recently.

“Due to the generosity of our sponsors, we will once again be able to award individual scholarships in the amount of $1,000,” Jim Pennekamp, president of the Great River Workforce Development Corp., said.

Pennekamp said funding for the scholarships comes from local businesses, educational institutions, labor groups and government organizations. 

“Without their generosity and support, this opportunity to link education and workforce development would not be possible," he said.

The application deadline is June 16, after which members of the Madison-Bond Workforce Innovation Board will begin the review process. Selection criteria include grade point averages, references and student-submitted essays that focus on career goals.

“As more businesses become aware of this opportunity to assist young people meet their career goals, we hope to see an increase in the number of scholarships we are able to award,” Matt Jones, assistant executive director of Madison County Employment and Training, said.

This year’s sponsors, who will be noted in the Madison-Bond Workforce Innovation Board’s annual report, include Coldwell Banker Brown Realty, Greater Madison County Federation of Labor, John Herzog, Juneau & Associates, Madison County Employment & Training, Madison County Regional Office of Education, Mortgage Makers, Phillips 66, SCF Lewis and Clark Marine, Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council and The Bank of Edwardsville.