In partnership with ELECTRI International, $100,000 in scholarship funds awarded to students entering skilled trades
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 22, 2024) – Wesco International (NYSE: WCC), a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions, today announced a scholarship program as part of Wesco Cares, its corporate philanthropy program, to support the next generation of tradespeople. In partnership with ELECTRI International, an electrical construction foundation established by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), a $100,000 scholarship will be awarded to students entering skilled trades in the U.S. electrical industry.
With the electrical industry experiencing a gap in the resources available to support trade school students, the new scholarship program underscores Wesco’s commitment to the electrical industry and the hard-working individuals who power progress in our world. There has never been a more crucial time to support and encourage the next generation of skilled laborers. According to Adecco, more skilled tradespeople are between the ages of 45 and 64, and nearing retirement, than workers in other occupations. Meanwhile, demand for large, complex electrification projects to support sustainability goals continues to increase, amplifying the need for essential skilled laborers.
As the largest electrical distributor in North America, Wesco understands the critical role of tradespeople in powering our world and moving the electrical industry forward. Similarly, ELECTRI is a tireless advocate of the electrical industry and is committed to supporting the next generation of contractors. By helping to reduce the financial costs associated with trade school and apprenticeship expenses, the scholarship program will help encourage interest in the trades and contribute to a reduction in the current skilled labor shortage.
“ELECTRI is extremely grateful for Wesco’s dedication to the electrical construction industry and its many contributions to promote prosperity in the trade, especially this scholarship,” said ELECTRI Director of Future Workforce Development Anna Jochim. “This scholarship will ensure the success of NECA-ELECTRI’s national Project Management Apprenticeship Program which is expected to create a much-needed talent pipeline for NECA contractors.”
“At Wesco, we believe people are our greatest asset, and the hard-working individuals who power progress are the heart of our industry,” said John Engel, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We realized the significant impact of a skilled labor shortage on our customers and their ability to execute innovative projects on time and on budget. We are pleased to offer a scholarship program in partnership with ELECTRI to demonstrate our commitment to the electrical industry and the people who power progress in our world.”
For companies looking to learn more about supporting skilled trade apprenticeships through ELECTRI, please contact ELECTRI’s Director of Future Workforce Development Anna Jochim at anna.jochim@electri.org. For mor information on the Project Management Apprenticeship program, visit ELECTRI’s website at https://electri.org/project-management-apprenticeship/.