Emily Griffith Opportunity School has received a $50,000 donation from Graniger, Inc., a leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products. The money will provide 50 scholarships worth $1,000 each.

With retiring baby boomers widening the gap between the supply of skilled workers and the growing technical demands of today's workplace, industry experts predict major skilled labor shortages across North America in areas such as manufacturing, HVAC and welding, over the next 10 years.

Based on the recommendation of Denver area branch managers, Randall Kopp, Joel Hicks, and Robert Rogers, The Grainger Foundation has stepped up to address this need by awarding $50,000 to advance Emily Griffith Opportunity School technical education programs.

Students at Emily Griffith Opportunity School, Denver’s Technical College, will be eligible for $1,000 scholarships when they enroll in one of the programs in the College of Trades and Industry – Aircraft Maintenance, Automotive Technician, Automotive Collision, Custodial Training, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Welding. Scholarships will be awarded on a need-basis.

“Grainger is proud to partner with Emily Griffith Opportunity School because the school provides a great service in the much needed area of technical education.” said Randall Kopp, Branch Manager at Grainger. “We are excited about helping hard-working students turn into professionals.”

“We are so appreciative of the generosity of Grainger, especially in these economic times,” said Marilyn Bowlds, Executive Director of the Emily Griffith Foundation. “This donation will have a direct impact on our ability to help students attend our college and get started in high paying careers.”