Chisel Industries Launched Scholarships at Levi’s Stadium
The company partnered with the Chime Scholars Foundation to address the critical national construction labor shortage.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Scholarships
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Chisel Industries hosted its Built for the Bay event at Levi's Stadium, where it announced 10 new scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year. The initiative aims to support students entering the trades to combat a widening gap in the construction workforce.
Why it matters
The program seeks to bridge a labor deficit where five tradespeople retire for every two new entrants joining the field. By removing financial barriers to technical education, the partnership hopes to help fill the 456,000 new roles required by the industry in 2027.
The U.S. construction industry saw 326,000 job openings in July 2026, while the sector requires 456,000 new workers in 2027. The Chime Scholars Foundation has previously supported nearly 1,500 students across 41 states with nearly $10 million in total funding.
The players
Chisel Industries
This company provides expertise in industrial trade operations and partnered with the Chime Scholars Foundation.
Chime Scholars Foundation
This foundation manages a scholarship infrastructure that has supported nearly 1,500 students across 41 states.
49ers Foundation
This organization has invested more than $80 million in Bay Area community initiatives since its inception in 1991.
The details
At the Santa Clara event, students engaged in hands-on trade activations, skills challenges, and tours of stadium operations. The collaboration leverages the technical expertise of Chisel Industries alongside the existing scholarship infrastructure provided by the Chime Scholars Foundation.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The Built for the Bay event was held at Levi's Stadium.
July 2026: There were 326,000 construction job openings across the U.S.
2027: The construction industry requires 456,000 new workers to meet demand.
2027-2028: This timeframe marks the academic year for the 10 offered scholarships.
1991: The 49ers Foundation began its community investment programs in the Bay Area.
Culture Shift
The push for trade school scholarships reflects a broader societal movement toward vocational education as a viable alternative to traditional four-year degrees. This trend capitalizes on the urgency to replace an aging workforce while normalizing technical careers among younger demographics.
Students in Santa Clara and the surrounding Bay Area can now monitor the scholarship program to potentially offset the costs of trade school training. This initiative provides a tangible financial pathway for local residents to enter high-demand technical careers without incurring significant debt.
The takeaway
The widening gap in the construction workforce presents a long-term opportunity for students willing to pursue specialized trade skills. Investing time in vocational training now can lead to stable employment as the industry aggressively seeks new talent to replace retiring professionals.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest opportunities in the Scholarships section.
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Would you encourage a high school graduate to pursue a trade school education?
