TECHNICAL EDUCATION
As a leading distributor of industrial supplies, Grainger is also committed to helping stem the growing shortage of skilled workers while supporting the increasing technical demands of today's manufacturing workplace. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the retirement of baby-boomers from the U.S. workforce, an increase in the demand for manufacturing jobs and a drop in the number of students pursuing technical or engineering degrees are factors fueling a labor shortage that is projected to have critical implications for the future. Among the hardest hit sectors are pipe-fitters, HVAC technicians, heavy equipment operators and welders.
Our customers rely on tradesmen and women to keep their businesses afloat, and we in turn rely on these businesses to keep our national infrastructure sound and our local economies healthy and viable. For that reason, since 2006, Grainger has contributed more than $600,000 in support of technical education in the form of scholarships, classroom equipment, supplies and funding for technical program start-ups.
Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship program
Launched in 2006, the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship program awards 100 students at 50 community colleges across the country with a $2,000 scholarship to finish their trade programs. Second year students enrolled in construction, plumbing, welding, electrical, facilities maintenance, machine technology and other industrial programs are eligible to apply. Recipients also receive a customized Westward® toolkit upon successful program completion.