PHCC Awards Record 80 Scholarships to Future Trades Professionals

A trade group that represents plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) contractors is putting more money toward training the workers who do this kind of home repair and installation work. The PHCC Educational Foundation gave out 80 scholarships this year, its largest number yet, totaling about $200,000. Of the recipients, 52 are apprentices or trade school students and 28 are in college programs tied to plumbing or HVAC.

This isn't direct help for homeowners planning an upgrade, but it points to something worth knowing: new sponsors, including Bernzomatic and Zoeller Pump Co., helped fund more scholarships this year, and other supporters like HomeServe increased their giving too. More funding for trades education generally means more technicians coming up through apprenticeships and trade schools — the people who eventually install heat pumps, water heaters, and other equipment in houses like yours. A steady pipeline of trained workers can matter down the road if you're trying to find someone qualified to handle an energy-efficiency project.

The foundation will open applications for its 2027 scholarship round in January, with a deadline of May 1, 2027, for anyone pursuing a career in these trades. Other sponsors this year included A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Delta Faucet, Home Depot Pro, InSinkErator, RIDGID, and State Water Heaters, along with several individual and chapter donors.