In the application process, scholarship candidates answer questions about their involvement in the trades and future career goals. They are asked to supply a letter of recommendation, which apprentices can secure from their PHCC member contractor employer, while students enrolled in trade schools or colleges can obtain it from a teacher or academic advisor.

Scholarship amounts vary between $1,500 and $10,000, with most scholarships valued at $3,000. The deadline for all required documents to be turned in is May 1st, and the application form can be accessed at phccfoundation.org/scholarships.

The scholarships are funded by contractor donations to the PHCC Educational Foundation and by corporate sponsors such as A.O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, Ferguson Cares Foundation, Home Depot Pro, InSinkErator, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters and Sterling (a Kohler Brand).

The scholarships can provide students a bridge to the point where their growing skills deliver the job earnings needed to self-fund the rest of their training, according to company leaders. 

 “And for employers who pay for their employees’ training, our scholarships can free up training funds the company can reinvest in other areas,” John Zink, the Foundation's VP of development and communications, said in a public statement.