Truckee, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2025)—Last month, Truckee Donner Public Utility District’s board of 
directors approved the creation of the TDPUD Future Workforce Scholarship Program. The 
scholarships target both college-bound high school seniors and local students interested in 
pursuing the trade and vocational skills that make electric and water utilities function. 

 The electric and water utility sectors have experienced dramatic changes over the last few 
decades, driven by technology, the environment and customer expectations. The need to recruit 
and retain top-level talents remains critical to achieving TDPUD's mission. While TDPUD's 
challenges are somewhat unique to our community, almost every electric and water utility in 
California and beyond face challenges in the recruitment and retention of top talent. This new 
scholarship program is an important investment in the future workforce and TDPUD’s continued 
ability to serve the community. 

 “Building the utility workforce of the future is a high priority for TDPUD, and we want to 
embrace the strategy of investing locally and ‘growing our own,’” said TDPUD board president 
Christa Finn. 

 TDPUD is partnering with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation to most effectively 
implement its new scholarships. TTCF’s existing scholarship programs serve both local college-
bound high school seniors and those pursuing vocational or industry degrees/certifications. 
TTCF has also evolved into the hub for local scholarship programs, teaming with more than 100 
local agencies and organizations to administer their scholarship programs. 

 “In recent years, we have prioritized building new partnerships within our community,” said 
TDPUD General Manager Brian Wright. We now support programs in every level of our school 
district, starting with our elementary school field trips all the way up to participating in the Tech 
Teens after-school program for technology-focused high schoolers. With this new scholarship 
program, we can continue to support our community’s youth as they embark on their collegiate 
and technical career paths. Our hope is to enable students who are interested in public service and utility work, to grow TDPUD’s potential future workforce and bring future benefit back to 
our community.” 

 To be eligible for a TDPUD scholarship, the applicant must live within the TDPUD’s service 
territory and be a TDPUD customer or a dependent of a customer. Scholarship applicants must 
meet the requirements of the TTCF scholarship application process and timelines. The TDPUD 
is also requiring a short, written response sharing how they will use their degree or certification 
to benefit the community. Additional details include: 

 Annual College Scholarships: 
• One four-year technical degree award for $2,500 per year ($10,000 total). The award will 
be for the total amount, but paid annually. The applicant must be accepted into and attend 
an accredited four-year college/university within the fields of engineering, computer 
science, information technology, environmental sciences, arborist/forestry or hydrology 
(or equivalent). 
• One two or four-year degree award for $2,500 per year ($5,000 - $10,000 total). The 
award will be for the total amount but paid annually. The applicant must be accepted into 
and attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university. Degree being pursued must 
be in the fields of business, finance, economics, communications, marketing, HR 
management or public administration (or equivalent). 
• This scholarship cycle, from application to award, runs from January through May. 

 Annual Utility Operations Workforce Scholarships: 
• Two lineman school awards for $7,500 each. The applicant must be accepted into and 
attend an accredited lineman school, such as the Northwest Lineman College or 
equivalent, to become an apprentice lineman. The funds will be provided 50 percent upon 
award and 50 percent upon verified completion of the program. 
• Three awards for utility-related certifications, up to $2,000 each. The applicant must 
enroll in and complete a program or certification in one of the following fields: water 
utility, automotive technician, construction standards, electrician, commercial driver’s 
license, business/finance administration, clerk, notary and certified translation. 
• This scholarship cycle, from application to award, runs from May through July. 

 For those interested in applying for a TDPUD scholarship, please visit tdpud.org/scholarships. 

About Truckee Donner PUD: 
TDPUD is a public utility district created in 1927 and overseen by a locally elected board of 
directors. TDPUD is a not-for-profit entity that provides the greater Truckee area with reliable 
and high-quality water and power services, while guiding the community to conserve resources. 
For more information about TDPUD, call 530-587-3896 or visit tdpud.org. 

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 Media Contact: Steven Poncelet, Truckee Donner PUD, 530-582-3951, stevenponcelet@tdpud.org

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