Apply for the 2025 Women of Asphalt + Caterpillar Scholarship

The Women of Asphalt (WofA) organization and Caterpillar Inc. are once again partnering to elevate careers in the asphalt industry. The 2025 Women of Asphalt x Caterpillar Paving Operations Scholarship is now open, offering six WofA members the chance to attend Caterpillar’s immersive Paving Operations Training in Clayton, North Carolina, the week of December 8, 2025.

This hands-on learning experience includes full course tuition, as well as travel, lodging, and meals—a package valued at more than $6,000 per participant. Applications will be accepted from August 18 through 11:59 PM ET on September 8, 2025, with scholarship recipients announced by October 20, 2025.

To be eligible, applicants must be national members of Women of Asphalt and either currently work in the asphalt industry or express a strong interest in entering the field.

What to Expect at Caterpillar Paving School

The Caterpillar Paving Operations Training offers a four-day curriculum that blends classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork using Cat® paving equipment. Each day includes two hours of classroom education followed by six hours of practical application, all designed to improve paving technique, mat quality, and jobsite profitability.

Last year’s recipients, Meghan Roy of Tilcon Connecticut and Lilia Yakimyuk of Lakeside Industries, set the bar high. Selected from a pool of over 120 applicants, both women shared compelling personal essays and demonstrated a deep commitment to their careers and communities.

Roy, a paving laborer and Shuttle Buggy grounds-person on Tilcon’s Ultra-Thin crew, expressed her drive to learn the ins and outs of each machine. “Starting my career as a Laborer has given me a solid foundation in the asphalt industry. Now, I want to build on that knowledge and advance my career by becoming an operator,” she wrote in her essay.

Meet Two Women of Asphalt: CAT Scholarship Recipients for 2024

Yakimyuk, a roller operator and U.S. Army veteran, found her calling in the asphalt industry through the Helmets to Hardhats program. “I love my job. I feel like I found my place in the world,” she shared. “Doing things you’ve never thought you’d be in a position to do… I am, without a doubt, a very blessed woman.”

Rachel Quam, director of sales for North America, paving products at Caterpillar, said of last year’s recipients, “I would say both these ladies saw it as a growth opportunity for themselves within their respective careers.”

WofA echoed that sentiment: “These incredible women have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their craft and are making waves in the asphalt industry.”

As the 2025 application window opens, WofA encourages prospective applicants to prepare thoughtful personal essays that highlight their passion and goals. For women ready to take their skills to the next level, this scholarship offers more than just training—it offers transformation.

To learn more or apply, visit the Women of Asphalt website before September 8, 2025.