A newly established Kevin Phillips Scholarship will provide scholarships to help cover the cost of RV technician training at the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) for new high school graduates, people leaving the military or those who tried college and found it wasn’t for them, according to the RVTI.
For people just entering the workforce or leaving the military, training costs are another hurdle to overcome. But through this scholarship, financial assistance will not only help the new technicians, but will also recruit more RV technicians, a key resource that is severely lacking for the ongoing success of the RV industry.
“Last April, we lost a great leader, good friend and colleague. At the time, many asked what they could do for Kevin’s family. I discussed an idea with his wife SeAnn, and we thought perhaps the best way to honor his legacy was to establish a scholarship in his name at the RV Technical Institute,” said Airxcel President and CEO Jeff Rutherford, who also serves as RV Industry Association chairman and on the RVTI Board. “You all know Kevin was passionate about the RV industry, about his activities with the RV Industry Association, and his involvement in helping set up and establish RVTI. He was a true advocate for continual learning and saw vocational training as an alternative to the idea that everyone needs to go to college.”
To establish the scholarship, Airxcel will be making an annual contribution to help keep it going. The hope is for others to also donate to the fund, increasing the number of new technicians that can be trained. Currently, the cost for one year of RVTI training is $300.
“This industry has provided so much to all of us,” Rutherford said. “I encourage you to consider a contribution that will not only provide the industry with qualified technicians, but that will also support the vision that Kevin helped create. There is a real opportunity here to build a much larger fund and make a long-term impact to the industry in Kevin’s honor.”
To make a contribution, send a check to: RV Technical Institute, 3333 Middlebury Street, Elkhart, Ind., 46516. Checks should be made out to RV Technical Institute and list “Kevin Phillips Scholarship” in the note section. RVTI is a 501(c)(3) entity, so all donations qualify as a charitable tax deduction.
