Story ID: 
ARSA Establishes Maintenance Scholarship
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: In lieu of holiday cards and gifts to members, the Aeronautical Repair  Station Association (ARSA) established a $500 aviation maintenance  scholarship thr
Word Count: 197
In lieu of holiday cards and gifts to members, the Aeronautical Repair  Station Association (ARSA) established a $500 aviation maintenance  scholarship through the Northrop Rice Foundation (NRF). The award will  go to a student attending an FAA-certified Part 147 aviation technician  school. The winner will be selected by the NRF’s board of directors.  “Rather than going the traditional route in holiday giving, ARSA felt it  would be appropriate to help provide a quality technical education to a  deserving student,” said Sarah MacLeod, the organization’s executive  director. “The NRF’s history of advancing aviation maintenance careers  made it the perfect partner.” MacLeod said the development of a  qualified technical workforce has long been one of ARSA’s top priorities  as members routinely list a shortage of skilled labor among the  industry’s biggest challenges. In ARSA’s 2009 member survey, 65 percent  of respondents reported difficulties in finding skilled technical  workers. “This gift will benefit one worthy student and aid the aviation  community in developing and recruiting a highly trained technical  workforce,” MacLeod said. To be eligible for the award a student must be  attending a Part 147 aviation technical school and submit all the  materials listed on the general application.