According to Bob Boyle, president of the ACCA chapter as well as president of Phillips Heating, the program is designed to attract students into the industry as well as get them to remain in the western Pennsylvania area. “We’re always looking for competent, qualified, trained technicians,” he said.

Boyle noted that it took a while for the chapter to be able to set up a 501c(3) corporation in order to solicit contributions that would be tax deductible. Almost $5,000 has been raised so far for the ACCA of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund, including about $3,000 in start-up costs to cover accounting, legal, and IRS fees.

Two scholarships for $500 each will be awarded this January. Students who receive aid will be attending the Community College of Allegheny County, Dean Tech, or Triangle Tech. As more funds are raised, said Boyle, “We will increase the number of scholarships and dollar amount.”

The scholarship fund is currently seeking out foundations and applying for grants in order to get additional funding. Boyle noted that an affiliate of a gas company has pledged to fund an upcoming scholarship. He is also talking to a state agency about possible funding.

For more information on the scholarship program, contact Boyle at 412-431-6563 or phillipsht@aol.com (e-mail).

Publication date: 12/16/2002