We know that getting started in your welding career can be costly, which is why we are always excited to share any and all financial aid or scholarship opportunities we come across that are geared towards students eager to forge a path in the skilled trades!

Today we're spotlighting a scholarship opportunity from Metal Supermarkets! They're committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled tradespeople through their trade school scholarship program and this year they've doubled their scholarship funds to $20,000, meaning that 8 lucky recipients will receive $2,500 that can be used for training from a trade school, like Earlbeck's Technical Center!

Securing the funds to get started on your welding career journey can be a challenge. At Earlbeck Technical Center we want you to succeed not struggle, so we do our best to keep costs low for our students and are committed to sharing any opportunity we come across to score funds that can be used for our welder training classes!

Focusing on apprenticeship programs and trade schools instead of university programs, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation aims to give hardworking individuals the leg up they need to advance in their career journey. Great news is that welder training through Earlbeck is an approved program for the mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarship! 

​This year they have expanded their application window, awarding scholarships four times a year, based on when your application is submitted. Giving you the chance to apply when you're ready and when funding matters most. 

These scholarship funds are for tuition, books, and/or tool costs for your course load, so awards can vary and they will ask for you to submit a tuition bill or cost statement from your school. Review the eligibility criteria and award timeline below for more information, or visit the mikeroweWORKS website.

In order to be eligible to apply you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• ​Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or have a GED equivalent.
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in an approved trade-related program at an accredited two-year college, vocational, or technical school, or other approved technical institute in the United States. 
• Be able to provide a current tuition bill or cost statement from your school.

Awards are given out four times a year, based on when you submit your application:

• June 2026 - Apply by April 30, 2026
• August 2026 - Apply by June 30, 2026
• October 2026 - Apply August 30, 2026
• December 2026 - Apply by October 31, 2026

NOTE: Former recipients may reapply for a second round of funding, granted they disclose that they were a previous recipient, provide a reason for applying, and still meet the above eligibility requirements.

This year, you can apply for a scholarship any time between February 23, 2026 until October 31, 2026. ​

​YOU'LL HAVE TO:

• • Enroll in an approved program
  • Sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge. ("Skill & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo")
  • Answer four short questions about the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge
  • Make a 45-60 second video
  • Submit two references from a teacher or boss
  • Verify your school cost with a tuition bill or cost statement
  • Provide high school or college transcript
  • Complete the application online​

Your application will be reviewed based on a rubric, taking into account your chosen program and school, the strength of your references, your video content, your short response answers, your financial need, and most importantly: your ability to demonstrate a solid work ethic.

They will also consider the completeness of your application, so be sure to double check everything before you submit!

The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing 4.0 Grant applications open on August 1st, 2025! If you are a small to mid-sized manufacturing company that was planning on integrating advanced technologies into your workflow, then this grant was made for you!

The Maryland 4.0 Manufacturing Grant program is designed to empower Maryland's local manufacturing businesses by financially supporting their adoption of cutting-edge industrial tech and robotics. It's all about bringing the future of manufacturing into today's factories, making them more innovative and more efficient! ​

To be eligible for the Maryland 4.0 Manufacturing Grant, your business needs to be already operating and established for a minimum of 2 years, and currently be in good standing with the State of Maryland. Your business must also employ between 3 and 250 full-time workers and fall under the NAICS two-digit codes of 31, 32, or 33; indicating a manufacturing focus. In addition, compliance with both federal and Maryland-specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations is also required.
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But most importantly, applicants need to show that they have not only the capability to implement the proposed project successfully, but also a strong commitment or strategic approach to adopting Industry 4.0 tech! Having a compelling application in this competitive grant is definitely important, companies should consult vendors for quotes and specs to make the application package more robust. Since the state is unlikely to give multiple awards to a single company, applicants should put their best foot forward and submit their strongest application. These applications need to tell a story- think of how new technology can lead to increased sales, new hires and a new product line and elaborate on that.

And lastly, the ability to provide matching funds is crucial to show that your business has the financial readiness for the proposed upgrades!