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Investing in the Future and Creating Opportunity for the Skilled Workforce
Submitted by: SupplyLink
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The shortage of trained, skilled workers has become a hot issue for those in manufacturing, welding and many industrial trades in between. In a move to bring together industry leaders to discuss the topic, Grainger, along with Mike Rowe, host and Executive Producer of the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs, hosted a Skilled Labor Town Hall meeting in January during Grainger’s Total MRO event in Orlando. The goal of the Town Hall was to raise awareness of the issue, share information on what is being done currently to address the need, and discuss how we all can make an impact going forward.
Moderated by Bob Vavra, Editor, Plant Engineering, local experts from industry associations and technical education programs shared perspectives on the far reaching impact of this issue. Grainger suppliers and customers also participated, providing insight from the front lines of this issue.
It is hard to project the magnitude of the skilled labor crisis, but it is easy to see how Grainger can make a difference. "Every day we touch thousands of businesses, institutions, contractors, manufacturers and others who are both directly and indirectly dependent on the skilled workforce." says Mike Pulick, President, Grainger U.S. "This position encourages us to serve as an advocate of technical education and as a conduit of the information and resources needed to promote careers in the skilled trades."
Support of the skilled workforce is now more important that ever. Experts in numerous markets indicate that the pool of tradesmen entering construction, HVAC, welding and other skilled labor-oriented industries is dwindling, causing a shortfall in the labor market that will reach epidemic proportions as the baby boomers retire.
According to a National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) report, 80 percent of manufacturers are struggling to serve customers because they don’t have enough qualified workers. Many graduates do not have the math, science and technical skills required to work in today’s manufacturing environment. Late last year, a new poll showed that manufacturing executives rate the worker shortage as a bigger issue than the economy.
As a result of the lack of investment in technical education programs and in existing skilled workers, companies – and particularly manufacturers – are finding it difficult to find and retain people with the right skills to match the opportunity.
Grainger sees involvement with technical high schools, trade schools and community colleges as the strongest opportunity to promote technical education. By teaming up with Mike Rowe, there is an opportunity to expose students and their families to the merits of pursuing careers in the trades and positively influence their perceptions of technical education. By promoting technical education, we are making a solid investment in and impact on the future workforce – our customers, suppliers and employees.
One way Grainger is investing in technical education is through the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship program which awards a $2,000 scholarship to support second-year, community college students studying industrial-related trades such as welding, plumbing, construction, HVAC, facilities maintenance and automotive technology. Upon graduation, each student also receives a customized, Westward® toolkit to launch their professional career.
For the 85 students who have been awarded a Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship over the past four years, the support has been instrumental in their career path.
“The Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship and toolkit will put me where I need to be for the last semester and beyond,” said Caryn Lowe, College of Southern Nevada, Automotive Technology student and 2008 scholarship recipient. “When I enrolled in the [automotive] program, I had limited knowledge of cars. Now I have four Automotive Service Excellence certifications and can do way more than change oil and put washer fluid in a car!”
Already a success in 35 schools across the country, Grainger is continuing to invest in the future of the skilled workforce by expanding the program to 50 schools and offering 100 scholarships in 2009. Click here for a complete list of participating schools. Click here for the program brochure.
Grainger has also stepped up to the plate in its home state of Illinois, partnering with Northern Illinois University and the International Facility Management Association to support the state’s only certification program for Facility Maintenance professionals.
As a licensed provider of the Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) and Facility Management Professional® (FMP®) credential competency courses, NIU offers eleven different courses at their state-of-the-art campus in Naperville, Illinois. From finance and real estate to communication and technology, the syllabus is designed to prepare new or transitioning facility maintenance professionals to sit for the CFM or FMP exam. Courses begin in Spring 2009 and more information can be found at www.fm.niu.edu.
“Whether you’re preparing for the CFM exam, earning an FMP designation, or just enhancing your professional skill-set in specific areas of knowledge, this is a great new opportunity for facilities professionals in the Chicago area.” said Ester Diamond, IFMA Chicago Chapter President and Regional Director of Facilities & Office Services, Lock Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP.
The economic vitality of our local communities is dependent upon the trades men and women who do business with Grainger every day. Whether they need a wrench or an ammeter, skilled workers rely on Grainger to provide the tools they need to get the job done. Grainger’s investment in technical education and the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow® scholarship program are tools that will serve skilled workers and the community for years to come.
National Association of Manufacturers, April 1, 2008. http://www.nam.org/PolicyIssueInformation/SiteContent/ManuFactsIssueOne-Pagers.aspx
(Scroll to HR Policy ManuFact: Strengthening America's Workforce. After downloading, change “.ashx” extension to .pdf” to view.)
Plant Engineering, August 25, 2008. http://www.plantengineering.com/article/CA6589924.html
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