KCS offering scholarships to women to pursue skilled trades

Kansas City Southern recently forged a partnership with Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) to offer a skilled trade women's scholarship program. 

The scholarships will fund the education, training and skills improvement of three women who are pursuing diesel, electrician, industrial maintenance technology, industrial instrumentation and electrical technician, or welding careers.

Once awarded, the scholarship will continue for up to two years as long as the female student remains enrolled in one of the three approved skilled trade programs and maintains a 2.75 grade point average. KCS will provide NLTCC with $1,500 per scholarship recipient per semester to be applied to educational costs in accordance with award guidelines.

"The goal of this scholarship program is to increase awareness of the excellent job opportunities and increased economic stability available to women who work in a skilled trade profession," said KCS Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Lora Cheatum in a news release.

Yesterday, KCS awarded the first scholarship to Leah Nichole Ellis, who participates in the college's welding program. Three additional scholarships will be awarded for the fall 2021 semester.

NLTCC serves the nine parishes of the northwest Louisiana region and maintains campuses in Mansfield, Minden and Shreveport.