On August 17th, 2021, at the Moore Community House in Biloxi, Crane Industry Services’ CEO Debbie Dickinson along with other SCOAR members awarded one lucky lady with a scholarship tool package to kick-start her career thanks to the Southern States Millwright Regional Council and DeWalt. This effort supports Moore’s Women in Construction program which empowers women from all walks of life by teaching them the skills necessary to find high-wage, high-skill careers in the construction trades. It also helps to meet demand for a trained workforce along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Asia Lewis, this year’s scholarship recipient, won based on her high level of training, strong transcript, steady attendance, instructor recommendations, and inspirational personal essay outlining her career goals.
The presentation was part of the SCOAR Craft Trades Scholarship Program. The Southern States Millwright Regional Council funded the tool package which was valued at more than $1,000. DeWalt also made a special donation of tools to support the Women in Construction program as well as the scholarship package. Lewis said, “It felt like Christmas morning, honestly. There is so much stuff! I have the first-year tools required to be a Millwright apprentice and it was just a lot. It felt a little overwhelming honestly.”
Programs such as SCOAR encourage Mississippians to grow professionally and locally. Mississippi’s labor participation rate has hovered around 56% since the start of 2021, which is nearly 5% lower than the national average. This number reflects the post-pandemic national economy as well as the state’s ongoing struggle to develop and maintain a skilled, qualified workforce. In response to questions regarding opportunities for women in construction, SCOAR Chair of Workforce Development Dickinson said, “A lot of women don’t realize how many great jobs, career advancements, and other opportunities there are for us in the industry. We appreciate what Moore has done here… bringing these programs to women in construction.”
CIS states they are proud that their company is able to support young women who want to take part in the construction field through SCOAR's Scholarship Program.
About Crane Industry Services
Located west of Atlanta in Villa Rica, Georgia, Crane Industry Services (CIS) is a women-owned NCCER training and certification provider, helping companies in the construction, power generation, petrochemical, manufacturing, and maritime industries.
