Founded in 2008 by television host and producer Mike Rowe, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation is a nonprofit organization headquartered in California that promotes skilled trades careers and awards scholarships to people pursuing vocational training. The foundation grew out of Rowe's experience hosting the television series Dirty Jobs, through which he developed an advocacy platform arguing that the cultural stigma around trade work has contributed to a national workforce shortage in fields like construction, manufacturing, energy, and transportation.
The foundation's flagship program is its annual Work Ethic Scholarship. As of August 2026, mikeroweWORKS has awarded more than $16 million in scholarships to more than 2,600 recipients. Awards range from $500 to $25,000 and are available for two-year programs or less at accredited vocational schools, community colleges, or technical programs.
Eligible fields include welding; plumbing; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); aviation; commercial driving; and nursing, among others. Unlike other academic scholarships, the Work Ethic Scholarship does not consider GPA or standardized test scores. Instead, applicants are evaluated on references from supervisors or instructors, video content, short answer responses, and demonstrated financial need.
In 2026, mikeroweWORKS launched a state-by-state public relations campaign aimed at changing perceptions of the skilled trades, beginning in Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
mikeroweWORKS Foundation. (n.d.). Home. https://mikeroweworks.org/
mikeroweWORKS Foundation. (n.d.). Work Ethic Scholarship. https://mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/