Andrew Callahan of Cedar Rapids receives scholarship, pledge of tools on graduation
Cedar Rapids, IA (October 27, 2008) – With baby boomers preparing to retire from the ranks of the skilled work force in Cedar Rapids and across the nation, a growing number of labor experts are raising concerns that there is a shortage of workers with the critical skills required to replace them. Recognizing the emerging need, Grainger, a local distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, recently awarded a Tools for Tomorrow scholarship to Kirkwood Community College student Andrew Callahan during a classroom presentation with his student peers and Grainger leadership.
“Industrial trade students like Andrew represent the best and the brightest of the future of skilled labor,” said Jay Fetsch, District Branch Sales Manager, Grainger. “Grainger is proud to partner with Kirkwood for skilled labor through our Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program. Together we can help to ensure that our community continues to have people to meet the demand in the skilled and technical trades.”
Callahan, a Cedar Rapids resident studying industrial maintenance and HVAC technologies, was nominated by the school’s faculty to receive the award. His instructors describe him as ‘a highly motivated student who always displays a positive attitude and goes the extra mile.” In addition, he has shown leadership by “taking time to tutor and assist other students.” Callahan is one of 35 students across the nation who will receive a $2,000 scholarship and, upon graduation, a Westward® tool package from Grainger to support their future career in the trades.
“Andrew is a fine example of the work ethic and talent you find in Kirkwood students these days,” said Industrial Technologies Dean Phil Thomas. “We are proud of this valuable award and appreciate Grainger’s recognition to Andrew. Moreover, we are glad the Grainger leaders want to invest in the future of a talented workforce. That is a key motivator for our whole department, as we hear all the time how welcome these grads are when they take their places to do the good and vital work here in our Corridor.”
Thomas also indicated that Callahan’s Industrial Maintenance Technology training is addressing one of the key areas of workforce replacement needs in eastern Iowa.
“We have 63 students in the program now, and plenty of area business and industry partners that are saying, ‘Come talk with us!’ to our grads,” he added.
For more information about Grainger’s community involvement and commitment to technical education, visit www.grainger.com/community
About Grainger
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 the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. 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.
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Since its founding in 1966 Kirkwood Community College has been a leader in providing comprehensive education and training to east central Iowa. The college now offers more than 130 degree, certificate and diploma programs, including 19 in the Industrial Technologies department. Kirkwood enrolled more than 15,200 students in its college credit programs in the fall of 2008, as well as nearly 70,000 registrations in its continuing education and workforce training programs.
More information is available at www.kirkwood.edu