With baby boomers retiring from the ranks of the skilled trade workforce in Colorado and across the country, a growing number of labor experts predict a shortage of trained industrial workers in fields such as welding, electrical, plumbing and construction management. To aid this need, Grainger, a local distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, awarded a Tools for Tomorrow scholarship to Red Rocks Community College student
Joe McInerney during a presentation on campus Sept. 18.
"Students like Joe represent the best and the brightest of the future of skilled labor," said
Doe Kittay, Regional Branch Services Vice President at Grainger. "Grainger is proud to partner with Red Rocks Community College through our Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program. Together, we can help ensure the communities of Colorado have trained professionals ready to meet the demand for skilled trade workers."
McInerney, a Fort Collins resident and student studying electrical construction and renewable energy at Red Rocks Community College, was nominated by the school's faculty to receive the award. His nominating instructor describes him as an outstanding self-motivated student who is eager to learn. Last April, McInerney was chosen to represent the school at the Colorado Urban Green Conference in Denver. McInerney is one of 35 technical trade students across the nation who will receive a $2,000 scholarship and, upon graduation, a Westward® tool kit package from Grainger to support him in his future career.
"I am grateful for Grainger's generous contribution that will help further my career," said McInerney. "This scholarship provides me an opportunity to focus on my professional goals of becoming an apprentice electrician and eventually working with non-profit aid organizations to apply renewable energy technologies to developing communities."
"The construction and industrial employers in Colorado are in critical need of highly skilled workers with an understanding of today's tools, technologies and processes," said
Joan Smith, Dean, Red Rocks Community College. "With the increasing demand for these skilled individuals, it is essential that we continue to invest in their talent, and Grainger is doing just that through this scholarship program."
Media interested in conducting interviews or obtaining more information about Grainger should contact JP Clark, Regional Communications Manager - West, at (949) 255-5690. For more information about Red Rocks Community College, please contact
Kim Rein, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 303-914-6260. Students attending Red Rocks Community College who are interested in applying for a scholarship should contact the Dean's office for technical trade programs.
About Grainger
Illinois-based W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in Canada, China, Mexico and the United States. Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help customers get the job done.
About Red Rocks Community College
Since 1969, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) has delivered quality education to students of all ages and backgrounds. RRCC offers more than 300 programs leading to two-year degrees or professional certificates. RRCC serves over 11,000 students per year at campus locations in Lakewood and Arvada, Colorado.