Building Careers: 2025 Skilled Trades, Construction Management Grants + Youth Apprenticeships

The Skilled Trades Construction Grant and the Construction Management Grant continue to provide pathways for young adults interested in construction careers. In partnership with Fond du Lac Area Foundation, C.D. Smith offered two grants to support high school seniors and students pursuing technical or undergraduate programs. These grants offer up to $1,000 for eligible expenses such as tools, safety gear, and educational costs.

2025 Wisconsin skilled trades and construction management grant winners, including Jeb McDowell, Shelby Kraus, Logan Supple, Gavin Bodart, Logan Pluim, and Hailey Savasta, recognized for excellence in youth apprenticeships and construction careers. 2025 Skilled Trades and Construction Management Grant recipients (left to right): Jeb McDowell, Shelby Kraus, Logan Supple, Gavin Bodart, Logan Pluim, and Hailey Savasta.

We received numerous applications from talented and ambitious students who aspire to make their mark in the construction industry. After careful consideration, we selected three graduating high school seniors for the Skilled Trades Construction Grant and three individuals pursuing technical or undergraduate degrees for the Construction Management Grant.

2025 Skilled Trades Construction Grant Recipients

These three recipients demonstrated a commitment to entering the skilled trades, with grant funds intended to help cover the cost of essential equipment and supplies as they begin their careers.

Gavin Bodart – Fond du Lac High School

Fond du Lac High School ACE Academy signing event with instructor Vern Widmer, Gavin Bodart, Connie Coon, and C.J. Smith from C.D. Smith.

Logan Pluim – Laconia High School

Logan Pluim with Connie Coon and Grace Fowler at the C.D. Smith corporate office in Fond du Lac.

Hailey Savasta – Franklin High School

Hailey Savasta with Mitch Kidd and Phil Jaskolski from C.D. Smith and the Franklin High School team during the skilled trades grant certificate presentation in Wisconsin.

Hailey Savasta with Mitch Kidd, Phil Jaskolski, and the Franklin High School team at her certificate presentation.

2025 Construction Management Grant Recipients

The Construction Management Grant provides financial support to students advancing toward degrees in construction management. This year’s recipients are:

Logan Supple – North Fond du Lac High School, attending Fox Valley Technical College
Jeb McDowell – North Fond du Lac High School, attending Fox Valley Technical College

Jeb McDowell, Dave Supple from C.D. Smith, and Logan Supple at North Fond du Lac High School awards ceremony, celebrating construction management grant achievements in Wisconsin.

Jeb McDowell, Dave Supple of C.D. Smith, and Logan Supple at the North Fond du Lac High School awards presentation.

Shelby Kraus – Kiel High School, pursuing a Construction Management degree at UW-Platteville

Shelby Kraus with C.D. Smith team members Grace Fowler, C.J. Smith, and Egor Shalamov at the C.D. Smith corporate office in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, highlighting youth apprenticeship and construction management education.

Shelby Kraus with Grace Fowler, C.J. Smith, and Egor Shalamov from C.D. Smith at the corporate office in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The grant is designed to assist with tuition and related academic expenses for students preparing for leadership roles in the construction industry.

Youth Apprenticeship | Building Careers in Construction: A Day in the Life

McKenna, a C.D. Smith Youth Apprentice, shares what a typical day looks like, the variety of trades she works with, and how mentorship is shaping her career path. Watch to see how hands-on experience is preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Interested in starting your construction career? Read about our 2025 Youth Apprenticeship Program (below) or learn more about Skilled Trades Construction Apprenticeship Programs from our Field Careers page.

Youth Apprenticeship Program: 2025 Cohort

In addition to the grant programs, the Construction Youth Apprenticeship (YA) initiative continues to provide hands-on experience for high school students. We’re thrilled to share that we’ve hired two of our six Construction Youth Apprentices (YA) from the 2024-2025 school year as full-time employees for the summer. They’ll be working in the field alongside Gavin Bodart, a recipient of the Skilled Trades Grant and a proud graduate of Fond du Lac High School's Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy.

Fond du Lac High School ACE Academy graduating seniors with instructor Vern Widmer at the 2025 signing event.

Three new Youth Apprentices from Rhinelander High School, Freedom High School, and Fond du Lac High School will join the program this summer. These students will gain hands-on field experience throughout the summer of 2025 and will have the opportunity to continue working part-time during the 2025–2026 school year, in coordination with their academic schedules. The Youth Apprenticeship program offers students the unique opportunity to earn school credit and wages while developing valuable skills under the mentorship of local construction professionals.

Supporting the Future Workforce

If you’re a student interested in pursuing a career in construction, look for future opportunities from C.D. Smith. The Skilled Trades Construction Grants, Construction Management Grants, and Youth Apprenticeship Program address workforce needs by promoting rewarding opportunities, and there’s room for more aspiring individuals to get involved and take the next step toward their career goals.

Congratulations to our grant winners—may your journey be filled with growth, success, and extraordinary possibilities!

Date: June 2, 2025 | Author: Connie Coon

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