Skilled Trades Scholarship Initiative Expands
CRC Industries awarded $100,000 to technical students following a custom vehicle showcase at SEMA.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Scholarships
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Local students pursuing skilled trades have a new pipeline for financial support following a major initiative update from CRC Industries at the SEMA 2026 conference. The company is using custom vehicle builds to fund technical education, awarding $100,000 in scholarships this year.
Why it matters
The program aims to address the ongoing demand for skilled labor by lowering the financial barrier for students entering technical fields. Access to such funding remains critical for local vocational students looking to offset the costs of specialized training.
CRC Industries awarded 40 scholarships of $2,500 each during 2026, totaling $100,000 in support of technical trade education. The final auction price of the program's featured 1977 Chevrolet C10, which carries a 555-cubic-inch engine, remains to be determined.
The players
CRC Industries
The company behind the Build for the Future initiative that funds technical trade education.
TechForce Foundation
The partner organization helping facilitate scholarships and training for skilled trade students.
The details
Through its Build for the Future initiative, CRC Industries partners with the TechForce Foundation to provide hands-on training and scholarships. The company generates these funds by auctioning custom vehicles, most recently showcasing a 1977 Chevrolet C10 at SEMA. This truck, built with an Edelbrock/Musi 555 engine and an 8-71 supercharger, will move to a public auction in early 2027 to continue the fundraising effort.
Timeline
2026: CRC awarded 40 scholarships totaling $100,000.
October 2026: The initiative was showcased at SEMA 2026.
January 2027: The 1977 Chevrolet C10 will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson.
Beyond the Strip
This initiative follows the long-standing tradition of automotive manufacturers using the SEMA Show to launch philanthropic programs tied to the industry. It specifically addresses the well-documented local and national trend of a narrowing pipeline for skilled trade labor.
Students interested in the technical trades should monitor the TechForce Foundation website for the next round of scholarship applications. Watch for the final auction results of the C10 truck this January to see how much funding is added to the 2027 pool.
The takeaway
The Build for the Future initiative provides a concrete path for students to reduce education costs through industry-backed scholarships. Keep an eye on the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January to see the total funds raised for the upcoming cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about local support for students in technical fields in our Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AftermarketNews.
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