Temecula Valley Community Events:

Scholarship Program

Temecula Valley Community Events is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating events that promote small business owners throughout the SW Riverside County area. Our mission is to raise and develop scholarship funds for students electing to enter the trades industry. By organizing community events, we aim to support financial resources for classes, books, and transportation, lessening the burden for students entering trade schools.

Our scholarship program offers (6) $500 essay-based scholarships that can be used at most community colleges in the California system, as well as eligible career colleges, technical schools, and independent institutions. It is open to high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited college, university, or trade school within four months of graduating from high school with a specific focus in the trades industry. Applicants will be considered only for trade school career path institutions. The scholarship application process opens in January 2025. Students with family connections to the trades industry are encouraged to apply for this award, which is administered by Temecula Valley Community Events. Funds will be paid from receipts, which document the training,

(Due to the Success of the 2024 Family Fun Fest - We are happy to announce there will be (6) $500 Winners for our 2025 Scholarship Program.

Applications STart In January 2025


The skilled trades shortage didn’t happen overnight. One of the most concerning skilled trades shortage stats is the ratio of Baby Boomers retiring to Millennials and Gen Z entering the trades. For every five Baby Boomers that retire, only two candidates from younger generations are stepping in. From that standpoint, it’s just a simple math game: you have five leaving and two coming in, creating more and more of a hiring challenge. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, nearly 30% of union electricians are near retirement.

 

Additionally, Skilled Trades data shows that 40% of the 12 million people in the skilled trades workforce are over the age of 45, with nearly half of those workers over the age of 55, and less than 9% of workers aged 19-24 entering the trades. For 20 years, society has made earning a college degree the end all be all. The primary question high school seniors get asked at graduation parties is, “Where are you going to college?” instead of, “What are you going to do?” As a result, young people are less inclined to specialize in the trades, making it difficult for employers to find skilled labor to replace the older generation.

 

It’s not a problem that can be solved overnight. Becoming a plumber or electrician can take four to five years. Apprenticeship programs for HVAC technicians usually last three to five years. But, as we say, the reality is it’s a numbers game right now. The trades industry is facing a net loss in its workforce, with more people retiring or leaving the trades than those entering. This shrinkage in the skilled labor pool is a significant concern for the industry’s sustainability and growth.

 

There are approximately 650,000 open jobs in the construction industry alone, indicating a substantial labor shortage. This shortage extends across various trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. And that gap is expected to widen as federal money flows into new infrastructure projects around the country — calling for even more labor. The number of construction workers aged 25-54 has decreased by 8% over the past decade, while the share of older workers exiting the workforce has soared. More than 20% of construction workers are currently older than 55, leading to a significant gap as retirees are not being replaced quickly enough by younger workers.

 

Addressing the skilled labor shortage requires a concerted effort to attract and train new workers. This includes promoting trades as a viable career path, increasing exposure to trades professions in schools, and improving perceptions about the financial and career stability offered by these jobs. The application rate for technical jobs like plumber and electrician dropped by 49% between 2020 and 2022. People are unfortunately learning that a four-year degree doesn’t guarantee a high-paying job. Student debt is rising, and only two-thirds of those with degrees say the debt was worth it.

 

In 2023, the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% to its highest level since 2018, according to National Student Clearinghouse data. Rising wages could also attract more young people. Last year, master plumbers saw their median pay raise to $82,700 — a 21% jump from the year prior, PayScale found.

There are some signs that the labor shortage is being addressed as trade school enrollment rises and Gen Z’s appetite for non-college alternatives grows. Careers in the trades provide paths to prosperity, but recruiting new workers will require a shift in the way the U.S. thinks about education. Similarly, Temecula Valley Community Events wants to help California residents find money from different sources so students can obtain a skills-based education.

Rules:

All applications are due by March 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

  • Minimum Qualifications:
    • At least seventeen (17) years of age;
    • Have residency in Riverside County
    • Admitted to or enrolled in a trade school that is formally recognized.
    • Be a student in good standing at their currently enrolled school with a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or better.
INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Read, review, and meet the scholarship eligibility criteria.
  • Completely enter all required information and answer all prompts and questions in one single document.
  • Use single-spaced, 12-point professional font, one-inch margins, and organized formatting; submit no more than five (5) maximum pages.
  • Separately, complete and submit the Application Certification page to submit with your application.
  • The Application Certification page does not count towards the five (5) page maximum.
  • E-mail completed applications to of****@te***************************.com by the application deadline.
  • Applications received after the deadline of March 30, 2025 may not be considered.

2025 Scholarships Available

$1000 – RSI Landscaping Scholarship:

RSI Landscaping is proud to donate a $1,000 scholarship to support the next generation of skillful tradespeople. As a company deeply rooted in the values of hard work, craftsmanship, and community, RSI Landscaping understands the importance of investing in the future of the trades industry. This scholarship will provide vital financial assistance to a deserving local student pursuing a career in the trades, helping them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in a rewarding and essential field. RSI Landscaping is honored to contribute to this cause and is committed to nurturing the talent that will continue to build and beautify our communities.

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$1000 – Prime Media Consulting Scholarship:

Prime Media Consulting is excited to contribute a $1,000 scholarship to empower the next generation of skilled trades professionals. As a leading digital marketing company, Prime Media Consulting recognizes the critical role that the trades industry plays in our economy and communities. This scholarship reflects their commitment to supporting students who are choosing to pursue careers in the trades, providing them with the financial resources they need to achieve their goals. Prime Media Consulting is proud to invest in the future workforce, ensuring that the next generation of tradespeople is well-equipped to meet the growing demands of our society.

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$500 – Temecula Valley Community Events Scholarships:

Temecula Valley Community Events is thrilled to announce (6) scholarships made possible by the generous funds raised during our Family Fun Fest. As a non-profit dedicated to supporting the local community, we are committed to helping aspiring trades professionals achieve their educational and career goals. This scholarship will provide essential financial assistance to a deserving student entering the trades, empowering them to pursue a rewarding and impactful career. We are proud to reinvest the success of our community events back into the community, ensuring that the next generation of skilled workers has the support they need to thrive.

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$500 Winchester & Assocciates Scholarship:

Winchester & Associates is proud to contribute a $500 scholarship to support the next generation of trades professionals in our community. As a trusted local insurance company, Winchester & Associates understands the importance of building a strong and skilled workforce. This scholarship will provide crucial financial assistance to a local student pursuing a career in the trades, helping them gain the education and skills needed to succeed. Winchester & Associates is honored to play a part in nurturing the talent that will shape the future of our community and industries.

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Questions? Let’s talk! 

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