Across the construction industry, one of the most important conversations today is about the future of the workforce. Nationally and across Florida, demand for skilled labor has outpaced the number of trained professionals entering the field. As of January 2026, the Associated Builders and Contractors estimates 349,000 new workers will need to be added to the construction industry to maintain current supply and demand. Additionally, the National Center for Construction Education and Research estimates 41% of the current construction workforce nears retirement by 2031, further widening the labor gap.
Beyond our industry, as communities grow and infrastructure demands increase, the need for skilled professionals in public safety, healthcare, and technical trades continues to rise. This urgency inspires us at Ausley Construction to invest meaningfully in the people who design, build, protect, and maintain the spaces our communities depend on.
That belief is why Ausley Construction partnered with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County to establish a $25,000 scholarship fund supporting local students pursuing high-skill, high-wage careers.
The State of Florida defines “high skill, high wage” careers as professions that require specialized training, technical knowledge, or certification and offer strong long-term earning potential. Many of these careers are also essential to the continued growth and stability of local communities.
The Ausley Construction scholarship program supports Marion County high school seniors pursuing careers in fields such as:
These careers represent the backbone of thriving communities. From the builders who construct our schools and hospitals to the teachers, nurses, and first responders who serve within them, each role plays a critical part in creating places where people can live, work, and grow.
By supporting students entering these fields, the scholarship program helps create a pipeline of skilled professionals who will continue strengthening Marion County for decades to come.
Workforce development initiatives like this scholarship program are one way communities can begin addressing the labor gaps in major industries, including construction. By encouraging students to pursue technical training, certifications, apprenticeships, and specialized education, organizations can help create clearer pathways into stable, rewarding careers.
Construction offers opportunities for long-term growth, competitive wages, and meaningful work that leaves a visible impact on communities. Whether someone chooses a path in project management, skilled trades, engineering, or construction operations, the industry provides career opportunities that can last a lifetime.
Ausley Construction’s scholarship commitment also reflects the company’s longstanding relationship with education in Marion County. Over the past several decades, the firm has helped build many of the schools and educational facilities that serve students across the region today.
Supporting students who will go on to work in these essential fields represents a natural extension of that work.
When businesses, schools, and community organizations collaborate, they create opportunities that reach far beyond a single project or program. Scholarships help open doors for students who are ready to work hard, develop specialized skills, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
At Ausley Construction, our mission has always been to build facilities that serve communities for generations. That mission extends beyond the buildings themselves.
It includes investing in the people who will shape those communities in the future.
Through partnerships like the Public Education Foundation scholarship program, we are proud to support the next generation of builders, educators, healthcare professionals, and public servants who will carry our communities forward.
