RIDGID has awarded four scholarships through the Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC) to students enrolled in plumbing-heating-cooling apprentice programs. PHCC administers the scholarship program, which is designed to attract new talent essential to the future of the plumbing and HVACR industry, and is also responsible for selecting the award winners. Scholarship recipients will receive up to $1,000 in tuition assistance and $1,500 in RIDGID tools. RIDGID has proudly supported this scholarship program since 2011.

“Contractors are desperately seeking skilled workers to hire,” said Christopher Burton, global director of brand management for RIDGID. “These scholarships help to get skilled workers trained and prepared, with quality tools in hand, to fill those open positions in our industry.”

The 2015 scholarship recipients are:

 • Brian Cates of Sacramento, Calif. is working for PHCC member Calidad Plumbing in Folsom and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC GSA Apprentice Program.

 • Andrew Kappelmeier of Landenberg, Pa. is pursuing a degree in HVAC Technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

 • Gary Quintana of El Cajon, Calif. is working for PHCC member Drum Plumbing in San Diego and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.

 • Brandon Ramos, Jr. of Spring Valley, CA is working for PHCC member BP Plumbing in San Diego and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.