The Southampton Business Alliance recently presented $6,100 in scholarships to 19 juniors and seniors in the Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach and Southampton school districts. The students are all enrolled in career and technical education programs through Eastern Suffolk BOCES.

The approximate $250-$300 per student scholarships will help defray the out-of-pocket cost of tools and other gear the students are required to supply for their future studies in the “building trades,” including carpentry, HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

This is the second year that the Southampton Business Alliance has provided the scholarships with the goal of helping to build a pipeline of skilled workers on the East End while helping parents with the burden of toolbox costs. Last year, the alliance provided $5,600 in scholarships.

“College isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great local jobs available,” said Sheryl Heather, Executive Director of the Southampton Business Alliance. “We are fortunate in our area to have many high-paying positions in the building trades, and to be able to make an inroad into local workforce development is a very big deal to us.”