CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE:
GWW), the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and
operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, today
released results of a survey aimed at understanding the attitudes,
motivations and opinions of those pursuing careers in the skilled
trades, supply chain management and public safety.
Grainger surveyed 218 recipients of its Tools for Tomorrow
scholarship and found 80 percent have an optimistic view on the
long-term potential for their career choices, with their main
motivations for entering their fields being a desire to work with
their hands (70 percent), career growth potential (53 percent) and
financial stability (50 percent).
However, of those surveyed, more than 40 percent said they
decided to enter the skilled trades, supply chain management or
public safety workforce as part of a career change, while only 28
percent said they did so as their career path immediately following
high school graduation.
"Grainger offers its Tools for Tomorrow scholarship because we
understand the importance of having enough trained people to meet
the employment demands in the key industries supported by this
program," said Dan Goudey, Grainger
Senior Director, North American Operating Model. "We also want to
show careers in the skilled trades, supply chain management and
public safety are viable options for those graduating high school
who haven't yet determined what's next. Community colleges are
well-suited to train skilled and certified workers, and we
encourage those looking for their first career path to consider
taking advantage of the resources available to them."
In fact, the survey found that after graduating with an
associate's degree or certificate in the skilled trades, supply
chain management and public safety from a community college, nearly
90 percent of those surveyed secured jobs in their fields within
six months and 76 percent of those surveyed were confident their
career choice will provide long-term financial stability.
"Through this survey, we learned there is a great opportunity to
help high school students in our communities find a successful,
fulfilling career that's right for them, and we're proud to play a
role in helping provide guidance, funding and tools to make that
happen," said Goudey.
About the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship Program
Each
year, Grainger works with the American Association of Community
Colleges to offer two scholarships of $2,000 each at participating community colleges
in the U.S. The scholarships offer financial assistance for tuition
and books to students working toward an associate's degree or
certificate in skilled trade, supply chain management and public
safety programs. In addition to the scholarship, Grainger provides
tools to students after they graduate to help them launch a
successful career.
Since 2006, Grainger has donated more than $4 million to support technical education. Half
of the scholarships offered are earmarked for veterans of the U.S.
Armed Forces.
To learn more about the Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program
and see a list of participating colleges, visit
www.graingerskilledtrades.com.
About Grainger
W.W.
Grainger, Inc., with 2016 sales of $10.1 billion, is North
America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair
and operating products (MRO), with operations also in Europe, Asia
and Latin America.
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SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.