COLUMBIA, Mo. – The ESS Foundation has awarded a multi-year grant totaling $30,000 to the Stephens College Women in Trades program.
The investment will provide $15,000 in 2026 and another $15,000 in 2027, helping expand pre-apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for women entering skilled trades careers. The ESS Foundation is an ESS Companies employee-owner-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promote the construction industry, provide career opportunities and benefit community development projects.
The Women in Trades program prepares students for apprenticeship opportunities through hands-on training, industry exposure and career readiness experiences in trade fields and heavy highway construction. Created to help women enter trade careers, the program removes barriers to participation by providing support services such as childcare, PPE, stipends, etc. The program currently serves local Douglass High School students, with Stephens College providing transportation to ensure accessibility and participation. Strong enrollment demand continues to drive program growth, making investments like this critical to expanding opportunities.
The program is designed to equip participants with the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional connections needed to succeed in the workforce.
ESS Foundation’s ongoing investment represents its commitment to workforce development initiatives that help build the next generation of construction professionals.
This partnership highlights a shared commitment to increasing workforce participation and expanding career opportunities within the construction industry.
As demand for skilled workers continues to rise across the construction industry, partnerships like this help strengthen the workforce pipeline. The ESS Foundation supports programs that prepare future industry leaders and build a stronger construction workforce.