GCA Scholarships Play a Valuable Role in Filling the Construction Industry Workforce Pipeline
April 2023
Ensuring college students are prepared to fill jobs in Hawaii’s construction industry doesn’t happen by accident. It takes concerted, long-term planning. That is why the scholarships offered by the GCA to University of Hawaii College of Engineering students are important for our industry.
Song Choi, Assistant Dean of the University of Hawai‘i College of Engineering, appreciates the generosity of the GCA members who support the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament are used for the scholarships and provides a valuable return for GCA members. Choi divides the GCA’s annual contribution of $20,000 into different categories:
“These scholarships are a big part of the industry recruitment process. They are a win-win for the students and the Hawaii construction industry.”
Song Choi
Assistant Dean
University of Hawai'i College of Engineering
- Two (2) $5,000 scholarships for construction engineering majors. These students are usually one to two semesters from graduating and will most likely be entering the construction field when they do.
- Two (2) $2,500 scholarships for civil engineering students who have taken construction engineering courses. These students are usually in their junior or senior year and have shown interest in the industry by taking courses related to construction.
- Five (5) $1,000 scholarships for general engineering majors. These students are usually in their early years of their college career and have the potential to enter the industry.
“If we can foster their education and interest in our industry during these early years, we can ensure the GCA has construction engineering majors for future construction industry jobs,” Choi says. “These scholarships are a big part of the industry recruitment process. They are a win-win for the students and the Hawaii construction industry.”
“Workforce development is a part of the GCA’s strategic plan, and these scholarships help to strengthen future generations and inspire them to go into construction,” says Cheryl Walthall, executive director of the GCA. “Mahalo to all the sponsors and donors that make these scholarships possible.”
If you are a student in the UH College of Engineering and interested in the GCA scholarships, click here (need your University of Hawaii login).