Rheem Australia has launched a new round of Apprentice Plumber Grants for 2015. Designed to financially help the next generation of plumbers during their training, the Rheem program will award 25 grants worth $1000 each to deserving apprentices.
Since the launch of the Apprentice Plumber Grants program in 2012, Rheem has given assistance to 125 apprentice plumbers from across Australia.
Rheem Australia CEO Matt Sexton explains that the grant will help the next generation of plumbers complete their training. Announcing the 2015 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants, he said this year’s program seeks apprentice plumbers who have the ambition and drive to make a real difference in their community using their skills.
According to Matt, several applicants over the past few years have shown enormous dedication and continued hard work despite challenging circumstances.
Previous recipients of the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant include a young newlywed man who together with his wife spends holidays volunteering in a third world country; a teenage apprentice who had to commute a further 60km a day to get to work after a fire and flood destroyed the road from his property; a mother of three who started an all-female plumbing business; and a hearing impaired apprentice who’s not letting his impairment ruin his dream of becoming a qualified plumber. Several ambitious apprentices are planning to use their skills to bring adequate plumbing to remote and/or disadvantaged areas.
Christopher Pierce from Hillside, Victoria was awarded the Rheem grant in 2012 for his admirable ambition to use his plumbing skills to obtain a job in Antarctica. The 22-year-old continues to work towards his goal and is also open to taking up work somewhere around Australia in the mines, or even in Canada. Chris recalled that the Rheem grant helped him stay on track financially during his apprenticeship.
There are no conditions placed on the grants, and successful applicants can decide how and when they use it. Matt Sexton says many have used the grant to enhance their tool collection, in addition to putting it towards education, bills, or fuel to get to and from work. Some have even used the money to create their own tools to use in their work.
About the 2015 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants
Applications for the 2015 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants open on Saturday 1 August 2015 and close on Wednesday 30 September 2015, with recipients announced on Friday 30 October 2015.
Apprentices can nominate themselves, or get nominated by their employer. Applicants can download the form from the Rheem website.
Recipients of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants are not eligible to enter.
