Heritage, a plumbing, heating, cooling and electric company looking to address the workforce shortage. Its mission involves so much more than working on wires and pipes and heating systems. The family-run company founded back in 1986, believes it’s also about building the best possible team so it can provide the best possible service to the homeowners and the families who we are privileged to serve.

That’s why the company has established a new trade school scholarship program. In December, the company will award two $3,000 scholarships to students pursuing a career in the HVAC, plumbing and electrical trades.

The scholarship funds are intended to help cover tuition costs at Northeast educational institutions that provide training in these specialties. Heritage’s scholarship program is open to students who reside in New England and New York.

Scholarship Deadline is Dec. 1 — Apply Today!

The goal is not only to help train the next generation of skilled workers, but also to instill a sense of personal and professional satisfaction in the important work they do each day — solving problems and making sure customers always have access to heat, water and electricity.

Are you somebody who enjoys working with your hands to install or fix things? Does this kind of work give you a sense of accomplishment? If so, have you considered whether a career in the trades might be right for you? They are seeking individuals who have a sense of the vital importance of the trades in society, as well a desire to work in a solid, good-paying career they can take pride in.

Bottom line: There are plenty of jobs available for those who possess the needed skills. That’s because, nationally there is a well-documented shortage of skilled labor in the trades. According to employment data at ProjectionsCentral.com, the U.S. workforce will need an additional 175,000 plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians between now and 2024 to fill new positions and replace existing workers — including 2,250 in Massachusetts and 410 in New Hampshire. In addition, a recent survey by Associated General Contractors of America revealed that 86 percent of contractors across the U.S. reported they were struggling to fill positions.

“We are feeling the effects of the shortage,” said Brad Chartier, general manager at Heritage, noting that as the company continues to expand its coverage area in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, it has been extremely challenging to find people with the right qualities and qualifications to fill key jobs.

He believes the scholarship program will help.

“Providing financial aid for vocational education in these essential trades is something we are passionate about,” said Chartier, “because doing so supports several of our strongly held core principles.”

These include:

• Demonstrating professional excellence/highest quality workmanship
• Emphasizing total commitment to customer satisfaction

• Supporting advanced training that separates the best from the rest
• Bringing a sense of purpose to the job every single day

“Our scholarship program is inspired by our understanding that — to outperform the competition and fulfill our responsibility to each customer — we must build a team of top technicians who believe in the value of their work, and who are committed to giving their best in every interaction with every homeowner,” Chartier added.