The scholarship program will award eight students with $2,500 each, paid directly to their certified trade school. Photo courtesy of Metal Supermarkets

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Metal Supermarkets is doubling its annual trade school scholarship program this year, awarding $20,000 in scholarships to eight students across the United States and Canada as demand for skilled trades workers continues to rise across North America.

The company announced the expanded scholarship initiative as industries throughout face ongoing workforce shortages and widening skills gaps in the trades. According to industry projections, the United States will need more than 320,000 new welding professionals by 2029.

Metal Supermarkets said the scholarships are intended to support students pursuing careers in skilled trades fields that are critical to manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and other industries.

“The skilled trades don’t just hold strong in an economic downturn, but they are among the rare sectors that continue to experience significant growth in an unpredictable job market,” said Jill Quinn, executive leader of PeopleReady Skilled Trades.

The scholarship program will award eight students with $2,500 each, paid directly to their certified trade school. Six scholarships will be awarded to students in the United States and two to students in Canada.

Applications are open through June 30.

To qualify, applicants must be accepted to and attending a post-secondary trade school program beginning in 2026. Eligible applicants include citizens, permanent residents and resident aliens legally residing in the United States or Canada who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent credential.

Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, proof of enrollment or acceptance into a certified trade school and up to three letters of recommendation. Optional submissions include photos of completed trade-related work demonstrating skill in their chosen field.

Scholarship recipients will be selected by a committee made up of Metal Supermarkets corporate staff and franchisees from both the U.S. and Canada. Selections will be based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement related to the skilled trades and financial need.

Winners will be notified no later than July 31.

Metal Supermarkets said scholarship entries are accepted exclusively through its online application process.

Employees of Metal Supermarkets, franchisees, franchisee staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.

For more information and to apply visit metalsupermarkets.com/trade-school-scholarship/.