In lieu of holiday cards and gifts to members, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) established a $500 aviation maintenance scholarship through the Northrop Rice Foundation (NRF). The award will go to a student attending an FAA-certified Part 147 aviation technician school. The winner will be selected by the NRF’s board of directors. “Rather than going the traditional route in holiday giving, ARSA felt it would be appropriate to help provide a quality technical education to a deserving student,” said Sarah MacLeod, the organization’s executive director. “The NRF’s history of advancing aviation maintenance careers made it the perfect partner.” MacLeod said the development of a qualified technical workforce has long been one of ARSA’s top priorities as members routinely list a shortage of skilled labor among the industry’s biggest challenges. In ARSA’s 2009 member survey, 65 percent of respondents reported difficulties in finding skilled technical workers. “This gift will benefit one worthy student and aid the aviation community in developing and recruiting a highly trained technical workforce,” MacLeod said. To be eligible for the award a student must be attending a Part 147 aviation technical school and submit all the materials listed on the general application.