Wesco International has launched a new scholarship program as part of the electrical distributor’s corporate philanthropy program — Wesco Cares — in support of the next generation of tradespeople.

The program is comprised of Wesco’s new partnership with Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and electrical construction foundation ELECTRI International for $200,000 in scholarships that will be awarded to students entering skilled trades in the U.S. electrical industry.

“The new scholarship program underscores Wesco’s commitment to the electrical industry and the hard-working individuals who power progress in our world,” the distributor said in a May 28 news release. “There has never been a more crucial time to support and encourage the next generation of skilled laborers as demand for large, complex electrification projects to support sustainability goals continues to increase, amplifying the need for essential skilled laborers.”

Learn more about the Wesco Cares scholarship program here.

“At Wesco, we believe people are our greatest asset, and the hard-working individuals who power progress are the heart of our industry,” added John Engel Wesco Chairman, President and CEO. “We recognize the significant impact skilled trade labor shortages are having on our contractor customers and their ability to execute construction projects on time and on budget. In support of our commitment to the electrical industry, we are very pleased to present these two scholarship funds to IEC as well as ELECTRI to strengthen the talent pipeline and increase the labor pool for contractors.”