This year, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation scholarship program will award up to 61 scholarships totaling $160,000. Awards are available to plumbing and HVACR apprentices working for PHCC—National Association members, trade school or community college students taking plumbing or HVAC classes and college students pursuing majors directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.

All applicants are required to answer a few questions about their interest in the trades and career plans, plus provide a letter of recommendation. Apprentices can get that recommendation from their contractor employer, while trade school or college students can have an instructor or guidance counselor write their recommendation. With those materials prepared, the application process can take as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000; with the most awards set at $2,500 each. The deadline for all submission materials is May 1, and the application can be found at https://phccfoundation.org/scholarships.

“Some contractors pay for their apprentices’ training – we still want those apprentices to apply. Union apprentices who are expected to pay for their own textbooks should apply as well,” said John Zink, Foundation vice president of development and communications. “These awards are intended to smooth the career path for individuals interested in joining our industry, and to make professional training affordable for the apprentice and their employer.” Apprentice applicants must be working for a contractor member of the PHCC—National Association.

The scholarships are funded by contractor donations to the PHCC Educational Foundation and by the following corporate sponsors: A. O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, Moen, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters, and Viega.