In lieu of holiday cards and gifts to its members, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) donated $1,000 to the Northrop Rice Foundation (NRF) for an aviation maintenance scholarship. “ARSA started a small scholarship fund last year; it believes every company in this industry should make a similar effort. It’s past time for this industry to commit continuous resources to workforce development. The shortage of blue-collar artisans must be addressed at every level,” Sarah MacLeod, ARSA’s executive director, told AIN. “It is time to encourage our children to honor, respect and become part of this dedicated, skilled and essential workforce.” The award will go to a student attending an FAA Part 147 aviation technician school, with the winner selected by the NRF’s Board of Directors. ARSA doubled its contribution over last year’s. “We are grateful for ARSA’s continued efforts to promote excellence in aviation maintenance technical education,” said NRF president Jim Lukins. “The association’s willingness to double its commitment this year truly symbolizes ARSA’s long record of supporting repair stations and commitment to developing a skilled, safety-conscious workforce.”