GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with several construction organizations to pay for 15 high school graduates to participate in a summer construction program.

GRCC's three-week Construction Core Jump Start program aims to give recent high school graduates the skills to fill jobs within the construction industry. The program is based on GRCC's Construction Core Certification, a 96-hour program offered by the college.

It’s geared toward young adults who aren’t interested in a traditional degree and are eager to start their career in construction.

The construction organizations participating in the effort are the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids, the American Subcontractor Association of Michigan and the Associated Builders and Contractors of West Michigan.

“This is a great example of how we collaborate with local employer partners to ensure our region continues to supply the best-trained talent in the world,” said Julie Parks, director of workforce training at GRCC.

In addition to covering students’ tuition for the program, the scholarship program guarantees students a minimum of two job interviews following completion of the course, GRCC said.

To apply for the scholarship, click here.

Brian McVicar covers education for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at bmcvicar@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter