The Value of Work Ethic: Comvoy.com Promotes Mike Rowe's Work Ethic Scholarship Program

At Comvoy.com, we believe the folks who visit our website personify the core values celebrated by Mike Rowe and his foundation, mikeroweWORKS: a strong work ethic, a commitment to skill, and pride in a job well done. We are incredibly proud to have supported their mission this year by promoting the foundation’s Work Ethic Scholarship Program, an initiative that recognizes and rewards the next generation of tradespeople by offering scholarships for apprenticeship programs and trade schools.

The foundation of the Work Ethic Scholarship Program is its merit-based approach, which is focused not on academic performance but on a candidate's core values and well, their work ethic. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who demonstrate true grit, responsibility, and dedication to their craft, the very qualities essential for success in skilled trades. This focus on a strong work ethic makes the program a perfect fit for the Comvoy community, which embodies these principles daily. By supporting these individuals, the program isn’t just helping students; it's also making a vital contribution to the U.S. economy, helping to close the ever-widening skills gap and ensure a robust future for our nation's infrastructure.

For Comvoy, promoting the Work Ethic Scholarship Program was a natural and important extension of our own mission. We believe in celebrating and supporting the individuals who are at the heart of the trades. This is why we were so excited to help by featuring a prominent banner on our website earlier this year, ensuring that our visitors were aware of this incredible opportunity. With a significant portion of our audience comprising skilled trades professionals and those aspiring to join the field, we knew we could play a small but meaningful role in connecting deserving individuals with the resources they need to thrive.

According to Kathryn Schifferle, founder and Chief Vision Officer at Work Truck Solutions which powers Comvoy.com, "Skilled trades are the backbone of our economy, and addressing the growing skills gap is crucial for the future of our industry and our nation. By investing in the next generation of tradespeople, we're ensuring the resilience and innovation of the entire work truck ecosystem. Programs like the Work Ethic Scholarship are essential to that effort, providing a vital pathway for hard-working individuals to pursue rewarding careers."

The importance of this program is underscored by business leaders who recognize the value of skilled labor. For example, Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, has been with the company for 18 years; he knows a few things about the need for skilled labor. Jim recently wrote about this very thing for  Time, saying “For too long, we’ve treated workforce development programs as a form of welfare for the recently unemployed. We need a culture shift around workforce development in America that breaks the stigma that these careers aren’t worth our young people pursuing.”

2024-2025 Work Ethic Scholarship Program by the Numbers

The results of the 2024-2025 Work Ethic Scholarship Program speak for themselves. This year, the program surpassed expectations, awarding a total of 526 scholarships to a diverse group of deserving recipients. The financial impact is even more significant, with over $5 million in total funds distributed to help students pursue careers in plumbing, welding, HVAC, and other essential trades. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent hundreds of individuals who are now better equipped to start their careers, launch their businesses, and contribute to their communities.

When asked about the importance of collaboration with industry partners, Mike Rowe’s passion is evident: “With every passing week, the way forward seems obvious. Big companies need to prove to a skeptical generation that truly excellent opportunities exist within a wide variety of essential industries, and then, those same companies must help train the next generation of skilled workers. Through our work ethic scholarship program, mikeroweWORKS is already configured to help make that happen.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Work Ethic Scholarship

The success of this year's program is a powerful reminder of what's possible when we invest in hard-working individuals. The need for skilled trades professionals is only going to grow, and programs like this one are a critical step toward meeting that demand. Be on the lookout for next year's program as we continue to support the initiatives that celebrate the value of work ethic. The future of the trades is essential, and Comvoy is committed to being a part of it.