Keystone Contractors Association exceeds $100K in college scholarships

The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) awarded over $100,000 in college scholarships to build Pennsylvania‘s future workforce.

Since launching its scholarship program in 2022, KCA marked a milestone in its commitment to developing Pennsylvania’s next generation of construction industry leaders. According to a release, the KCA Scholarship Program is unlike any other in Pennsylvania as every dollar invested stays in the commonwealth, earning the nickname “Pennsylvania’s Scholarship”.

“Our goal has never been simply to provide financial assistance,” KCA Executive Director Jon O’Brien said in a statement. “Our mission is to invest in students who are committed to building Pennsylvania. Every scholarship recipient represents another future leader who will strengthen our workforce, improve our communities, and contribute to the economic future of our commonwealth.”

To qualify, scholarship recipients must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident.
• Attend a Pennsylvania college, university, or trade-related institution.
• Demonstrate a commitment to building their career—and Pennsylvania’s future—after graduation.

The scholarship program supports students pursuing careers in construction management, engineering, architecture, skilled trades, business, safety, and other disciplines that support Pennsylvania’s construction industry. Unlike other scholarship programs that allow recipients to attend schools anywhere in the country, KCA designed its program to keep both the educational investment and future workforce within Pennsylvania.

“The construction industry needs talented young professionals who want to make a difference here at home,” O’Brien said. “By requiring recipients to live, learn, and ultimately help build Pennsylvania, we’re creating a direct pipeline from our classrooms to our jobsites.”

Applications are evaluated based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, career aspirations, and each student’s desire to contribute to Pennsylvania’s construction industry.

As the program grows, KCA will seek to expand scholarship opportunities.

“Reaching the $100,000 milestone is something our members should be proud of,” O’Brien said. “Every scholarship represents an investment in Pennsylvania’s future workforce, infrastructure, and economy. We’re not just awarding scholarships—we’re helping build the next generation of builders.”