Rees Scholarship Program for HVACR Technicians Expands AHRI Partners with SkillsUSA

Leesburg, Va. – The Board of Directors of the Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr., Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), today announced a partnership with SkillsUSA, expanding the long-standing scholarship program designed for students pursuing a career in the HVACR and water heating industry. With more than 365,000 members nationwide, SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure a skilled American workforce.

“The Rees Scholarship Program exists to ensure that qualified, knowledgeable technicians are available to support the industry,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “Our partners at SkillsUSA share the same interest in supporting a skilled technical workforce, and we are honored that we can now offer even more scholarships to deserving students, thanks to this new partnership.”

“SkillsUSA is thrilled to partner with AHRI and the Rees Scholarship Foundation to support building a pipeline of students who are continuing their education toward meaningful and lucrative careers in the HVACR industry,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This scholarship will benefit students, their schools, and future employers, and reinforces the value of SkillsUSA membership in creating new opportunities for students.”

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr., Scholarship Foundation SkillsUSA Scholarship will include eight one-time, merit-based $2,500 scholarships to SkillsUSA students pursuing postsecondary career training in the HVACR industry, beginning this spring. Details on donating to the Rees Scholarship are available at www.ReesScholarship.org. The Foundation provides special recognition to donors at a variety of giving levels.

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About the Rees Scholarship Foundation

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation was established to assist with the recruitment and competency of future HVACR and water heating technicians by awarding scholarships to qualified students enrolled in an institutionally accredited school. Eligible students must be preparing for a career in either residential or light commercial air conditioning, heating, or water heating, or commercial refrigeration.

About AHRI

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 300+ member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen our nation’s skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. This SkillsUSA Framework empowers every student to succeed at work and in life, while helping to close the skills gap in which millions of positions go unfilled. Through SkillsUSA’s championships program and curricula, employers have long ensured schools are teaching relevant technical skills, and with SkillsUSA’s new credentialing process, they can now assess how ready potential employees are for the job. SkillsUSA has more than 366,000 annual paid members nationwide in high schools, colleges and middle schools, covering over 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, and is recognized by the U.S. departments of Education and Labor as integral to career and technical education. With the addition of our alumni, membership last year was 427,432. We have served nearly 14 million members since 1965. For more information, go to: www.SkillsUSA.org.

SkillsUSA Contacts

Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, SkillsUSA 703-777-8810 jshort@skillsusa.org or kkitzel@skillsusa.org

Adanna Le Gendre, Rees Scholarship Program 703-600-0363