May 5, 2024

The Tools for the Trade scholarships were awarded to eight students in Forsyth Tech’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical programs, thanks to scholarships provided by Gwyn Services in collaboration with the Shallow Ford Foundation.  

The scholarship program, begun in 2023, grew from one awardee to eight, and there are plans to include more students in the coming years.

“We must invest in the skilled trades today, to make a difference for tomorrow. With the ever-shrinking skilled labor force and the increased demand, the skilled trades are a viable first choice career that can be a very rewarding and profitable career.”  

Jeff Vance, President and Owner of Gwyn Services

There are plans to expand scholarships to the carpentry program in 2025, and Sandi Scannelli, President and CEO of the Shallow Ford Foundation, hopes to see the program spreading to more schools in the region.  

“We are looking forward to what comes next for this program. It’s inspiring to see deserving students completing a much-needed skilled trades program and graduating with a professional-grade tool set to help them rapidly gain employment,” Scannelli said.  

The initial seeding charitable donation from Gwyn Services has grown to include individual donors, businesses, and the Emily Millis-Hiatt Fund, a component fund of the High Point Community Foundation that supports education and youth programs. 

Recipients of the 2024 scholarships are:  

HVAC program 

Elias Arreola 

Abisai Salazar 

Nathan Stewart 

Plumbing program 

Landon Barber 

Carlos Benitez 

Mohamed Traore 

Electrical program 

Walter Menjivar-Moreno 

Justice Wright