Foundation’s mission and impact
- The MikeRoweWorks Foundation focuses on promoting skilled trades to address America’s disconnect with hands-on work.
- Founded by Mike Rowe, the foundation aims to change perceptions about skilled labor and promote work ethic.
- By awarding over $9 million in scholarships, the foundation has supported more than 1,800 students.
Scholarship Program
- The Work Ethic Scholarship Program focuses on students ready to excel in skilled trades.
- It supports education across 19 skilled trades in all 48 contiguous states.
- The foundation emphasizes work ethic, not just academic achievement, in selecting scholarship recipients.
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Applicants must sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.
The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge (an acronym for “Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo”), required of applicants to the MikeRoweWorks Foundation’s scholarship programs, symbolizes a commitment to embodying responsibility, resilience, and work ethic. By signing this pledge, applicants affirm their willingness to work hard, take pride in their skillset, and eschew entitlement mindsets. It’s ingrained in the foundation’s ethos that success in skilled trades demands these qualities, which also align with Mike Rowe’s broader mission to reshape perceptions of vocational careers.
The pledge serves as more than a formality—it challenges applicants to introspect on their values while showcasing their dedication to pursuing a meaningful career in the skilled trades. Grounded in practicality and self-reliance, the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge acts as a personal and professional standard, promoting accountability and inspiring greater respect for hands-on labor. As a result, the foundation weaves this declaration into its scholarship selection process, ensuring recipients genuinely align with its core principles.
Work Ethic and Cultural Change
- The foundation underscores the importance of skill and work ethic, aiming to dismantle negative stereotypes.
- It challenges the conventional wisdom about career paths and encourages hands-on job opportunities.
Resources and Guidance
- Aside from scholarships, the foundation provides resources to encourage careers in vital, in-demand trades.
- The foundation’s initiative offers a platform to match skills with job opportunities across the trades.
Inspiration and Advocacy
- The foundation aims to inspire a new generation of professionals who value hard work.
- Through personal stories and successes, the foundation showcases the impact of vocational training.
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