CAMDEN — Camden Rotary Club has launched scholarships to support career technical education at the Midcoast School of Technology, Kennebec Valley Community College and other institutions.

The scholarships will help students, job seekers, and experienced workers prepare for high-quality positions in manufacturing, construction, engineering design, healthcare, and other fields. Recipients can use this funding to help pay for apprenticeship programs, short-term certificate courses, one-year certificates, and two-year degrees that focus on technical and occupational knowledge and skills.

People of all ages who live in the Five Town CSD catchment area of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Hope and Appleton are eligible to apply. They may study at any nonprofit, accredited institution in any location.

Scholarship applications for programs starting in January 2022 are due by December 1. The next round of applications will be due on March 1. Click here for details and an application form.

The new CTE scholarships will augment, not replace, the general education scholarships the club has awarded to high school graduates for more than 65 years, with generous support since 1994 from the Edith H. McCobb Trust for education beyond high school.

The new scholarships are part of an economic and workforce development initiative the club began last year.

“Many people want to land high-quality jobs but need additional training to qualify for them,” said Camden Rotary Club President Jonathan Goss, in a news release. “We believe these scholarships will make it possible for local people to prepare for their careers or upskill and reskill for new jobs that Maine employers are eager to fill.”