The Clifford H. "Ted" Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), announced scholarship awards totaling $58,200 to 36 students, including four veterans, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

“Each year, the Foundation provides aid to an increasing number of recipients, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek.

“Developing quality workers is a critical initiative that everyone in our industry is working together to accomplish,” said ACCA President and CEO Paul T. Stalknecht. “We are proud to partner with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to give these hard-working students and veterans scholarships to help them continue their education, which will develop into a strong workforce for our industry's future.”

The Veterans Program Recipients featured two winners in Michigan and Iowa: Christopher Oja from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan; and Shilo Tharp from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa.

The HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program featured 28 winners throughout the United States; While the SkillsUSA Program Recipients awarded scholarships to six people this year.

Since the Rees Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2003, it has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to nearly 300 deserving students and instructors.

For a list of past scholarship recipients, click here.