Poettker Construction announced the 2025 recipients of its NextGen program. The NextGen program connects Poettker to students and teachers at the local school districts they serve to unlock interactive opportunities for students to build their futures while advancing their community. Poettker also provides advanced education opportunities through impact contributions or post-high school scholarships. This year, Poettker presented three scholarships and seven community impact contributions to school districts across Southern Illinois.

Scholarships were provided to Jase Brentlinger from Freeburg Community High School, Clayton Logsdon from Litchfield High School, and Joshua Amann from Mascoutah High School.

Community Impact Contributions were presented to the following schools:

• Aviston Elementary School’s Students Offering All-Inclusive Recreation (S.O.A.R.) Program
• Central School District’s Girls Emerging as Women Leaders Group and the 104 Store
• Litchfield Elementary School’s Science Olympiad Program
• Litchfield Early Childhood Center’s Activities Program
• North Clay CUSD #25’s Industrial Arts Class
• Richland County Early Learning’s STEAM Learning Kits and Activities
• Pana Elementary School split their contribution for a Friendship Garden and STEAM Activities

“We cherish the growing partnerships we’ve developed with our school clients, teachers, and students,” said Jon Carroll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Poettker Construction. “We see how exposure to construction along with hands-on learning inspires students from early education to high school to consider a construction industry career opportunity. We are humbled and blessed for the opportunity to see first-hand how this generation can meet the workforce needs of our industry.”

Launched in late 2023, NextGen aims to go further beyond building quality buildings; it teaches PK-12 students the importance of giving back to their community. Through NextGen, students participate in celebrating major project milestones, from groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies to on-site class tours. Poettker also offers more in-depth career success opportunities through STEAM learning, paid internships, and workforce development programs.

School districts and students can submit applications based on the focused age group. The community impact sponsorship benefits elementary and middle school districts by supporting community initiatives. The academic scholarship benefits high schools, community colleges, and universities by offering their students annual sponsorships to pursue a career in the Architecture-Engineering-Construction industry.

For more information about Poettker’s NextGen Initiative, visit https://poettkerconstruction.com/poettker-nextgen/