Douce brothers establish scholarship to support career and technical education in Wayne County

A new annual scholarship program, the Pair-A-Douce Scholarship, has been established to support students and adults pursuing career and technical education in building and agricultural mechanical trades.

Established by brothers Leonard and Robert “Bob” Douce, the scholarship addresses growing workforce needs while expanding access to practical, skills-based education. The Pair-A-Douce Scholarship will provide awards to current students and graduates of any Wayne County high school who are pursuing a technical education or two-year degree program in building or mechanical trades.

Each year the fund will award two scholarships in the building and mechanical trades. Eligible fields include carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, welding, agricultural equipment repair, farm machinery mechanics and more.

Career and technical education programs play a critical role in preparing today’s workforce. While more than 90% of scholarships nationwide support four-year college pathways, data shows more than 80% of local jobs require on-the-job training or technical education. Skilled trades such as carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, masonry and agricultural mechanics are essential to economic growth and community sustainability, yet many positions remain unfilled due to a shortage of trained workers.

“Investing in technical skills pays dividends for individuals and for communities,” the Douce brothers said.

Their commitment reflects a lifelong dedication to hands-on work, education and service. While the Douce brothers contributed the initial funding, several other individuals and organizations have helped make the scholarship a reality.

“We’d like to offer a sincere thanks to the Home Builders Association of Wayne & Holmes Counties, Will Allen of Custom Metal Creations, Lowe and Young, Northwestern High School Class of 1964, and many others who see the value in technical education and have helped make this scholarship a reality,” the Douce brothers said.

Leonard Douce is a lifelong Wayne County resident and longtime volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He has participated in more than 80 home builds and helped launch the local Habitat ReStore.

Bob Douce spent 35 years in Florida as an educator and career specialist, directing the Building, Engineering, Architecture and Manufacturing Career Academy and helping thousands of students identify career pathways in the skilled trades. He returned to Wayne County in early 2024 with a renewed focus on supporting local students.

Together, the brothers established the Pair-A-Douce Scholarship Fund with the long-term goal of growing it into a permanent endowed scholarship, ensuring continued support for technical education in Wayne County for generations to come.

Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in supporting the Pair-A-Douce Scholarship may donate through the Wayne County Community Foundation. Donations may be made as one-time gifts or as annual or multiyear commitments. All contributions are tax-deductible.

For more information about contributing to the fund or applying for the scholarship, visit the Wayne County Community Foundation at www.wccfoh.org or email scholarships@wccfoh.org.