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In the photo left to right: Jeremy Belloir [Plant Manager of Howmet Aerospace in Martinsville], Jeff Kohler [PHCC’s Coordinator of Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Training], and Tiffani Underwood [Executive Director of the PHCC Foundation]

Martinsville, VA- Howmet Aerospace Foundation announced it is awarding the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation [PHCC] with $20,000 to establish several scholarships for students in Industrial Electronics Technology (IET) programs.

With the new scholarship, students in these programs could receive $1,000 to cover classes as early as January 2021 and, if they maintain eligibility, could receive another $1,000 in the fall. Depending on the number of students who are eligible to receive funding both semesters, the college anticipates awarding the scholarship to between 10 and 20 students.

“We are thrilled to receive this award from Howmet,” says PHCC’s Vice President of Workforce Economic and Community Development, Rhonda Hodges. “For our community, this scholarship could have a two-fold positive impact. Our IET programs lead to careers that are in high demand in our community. That means that when the students who get this scholarship graduate, they’ll likely be able to fill much-needed positions in local companies like Howmet. So, this really could be beneficial for both our local employers and the graduates they hire.”

Registration for spring 2021 classes is going on right now and classes begin January 7 so students interested in the scholarship should register as soon as possible. To register for classes, students can contact advising@patrickhenry.edu to inquire about the scholarship, students should contact lpulliam@patrickhenry.edu. The funds will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis with a priority given to under-represented demographics.

“We recognize the important role that Patrick Henry Community College plays in training our community’s future workforce,” said Jeremy Belloir, plant manager, Howmet Aerospace Martinsville Operations. “This is why we are supporting the college with this grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation. We as a local business must collaborate with our STEM education institutions to create the development opportunities that are so critical to the success of our entire community.”

Howmet Martinsville Operations produces titanium forged products for aerospace applications. Howmet Aerospace Inc. is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and commercial transportation industries. To support the communities where Howmet operates, the Howmet Aerospace Foundation invests in local education and workforce development opportunities.