The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce Bernzomatic as the newest major sponsor for the PHCC scholarship program. Bernzomatic will be funding more than 50 new scholarships through 2029 for students pursuing plumbing or HVAC apprenticeships, service technician training or college degrees directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.
Bernzomatic is an established leader in the trades with its familiar torches, MAP-Pro® and propane tanks helping plumbers and other contractors build America since 1876. Worthington Enterprises acquired the brand in 2011. Todd Whited, general manager – Tools, Worthington Enterprises, said, “Throughout its 150-year history, Bernzomatic has earned its reputation as a safe, durable and high-performing brand enabling users to take on any job with craftsmanship and confidence. We feel there is no better way to commemorate our legacy than by investing in the plumbers and contractors of the future. Alongside the PHCC Educational Foundation, we’re committed to supporting and celebrating trade students who are pursuing careers of constructing, fixing, making, creating and exploring what’s possible.”
Compared to typical university tuition costs, trade schools and apprenticeship programs offer students a lower cost path for their required education. But the training costs can still be a barrier to entry for individuals just entering the trades earning entry-level wages. For older transitional workers making a career shift, the extra burden of supporting a family can also limit options. The Foundation’s scholarship program helps remove obstacles by offsetting the cost of technical education, allowing students to focus on building skills that will increase their long-term earning potential. New hires who take the initiative to earn a scholarship can prove to their employers that they are invested in improving their skills and becoming a more valuable member of the team.
Contractor employers that cover training costs can still gain from having their eligible employees apply for scholarships. The awards directly offset training costs, freeing funding for additional training or other company needs. Beyond that, the sense of pride and accomplishment in scholarship winners often translates to a deeper commitment to making the most of the training they are receiving.
With the addition of the Bernzomatic investment, the PHCC Foundation plans to award 80 scholarships in 2026, with funding of up to $200,000 available to award winners. The deadline for applications and all supporting materials to be submitted is May 1. All applications are reviewed and scored by a committee of Foundation contractor volunteers over the summer. The applicants with the highest average scores are paired with the available awards and winners are notified in early August. The application and more information can be found at phccfoundation.org/scholarships.
About PHCC Educational Foundation
The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. Information on the Foundation’s training and educational programs can be found at https://phccfoundation.org.
About Bernzomatic
Bernzomatic was founded in 1876 as the Otto Bernz Company, which manufactured plumbing tools and torches. The company revolutionized the industry in the 1950s by developing the first portable propane torch and fuel cylinder. Worthington Enterprises, a designer and manufacturer of innovative building and consumer products, acquired the business in 2011. As Bernzomatic celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026, it does so as the torch and fuel category leader and the only brand of hand torches and small format propane and propylene cylinders manufactured in the United States. Bernzomatic products are used worldwide in homes, businesses and outdoors and relied on for construction, fixing, making, creating and when natural disasters strike. In 2025, Bernzomatic products reached customers and retailers in more than 55 countries. For more information, visit https://www.bernzomatic.com/.
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