By Jessica Kirby
SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington strives to create opportunities for workforce growth and development through several means. It supports the apprenticeship program, which develops a highly skilled workforce and is provides crucial paths to middle class jobs. The association also supports industry colleagues’ family members who wish to attend college, particularly if they are interested in pursuing careers in the construction industry.
“We know that paying for college is not in everyone’s budget,” says Chris Schneider, executive director at SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington. “So, we set up this scholarship so families can have some financial support.”
Eligibility
This endowment, available through SMACNA National’s College of Fellows, will provide one annual scholarship of $4,000. Each annual scholarship award of will be effective for the academic year (fall to spring) beginning in the fall of 2027.
“The Peter and Charlie Watts Memorial Endowed Scholarship is open to students seeking to further their education by attending an accredited four-year university or college,” Schneider says. “The Sponsor hopes that recipients will consider a career related to the sheet metal industry.”
Eligibility for the award is limited to the Employees and Immediate Family of an employee the Sponsor and the Employees and Immediate Family of members of Member Companies of the SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington Chapter.
“Immediate family” refers to a child, stepchild, grandchild, a child adopted by the owner or employee, or a child over whom the owner or employee has legal guardianship.
The Watts Family
Jim Watts is SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington’s attorney, and he has been involved in the chapter since the 1970s. In 1984, he helped found the chapter as part of the larger SMACNA national organization; prior to that, the association was a local industry group.
“For decades, Jim has helped guide the chapter through difficult times and through significant growth,” Schneider says. “The leaders of our chapter have become good friends with Jim and his wife Karen over the years.”
In 2025, the unthinkable happened. Jim and Karen lost two of their adult sons by tragic and unexpected health conditions.
“The loss was a terrible blow to their family and to the entire SMACNA Oregon community,” Schneider says. “We decided to honor Peter and Charlie and the Watts family by creating this scholarship in their names.”
SMACNA National Scholarship Program
The first annual Peter and Charlie Watts Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be open for applications in October through the SMACNA National College of Fellows scholarship program.
The program’s mission is to identify and recognize academically talented youth and potential future leaders within the SMACNA extended family and to provide them an opportunity to further their education and develop their talents as future leaders and positive contributors to society.
The primary goal of the College of Fellows Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to SMACNA members and employees and their families who are participating in undergraduate studies in accredited institutions of higher education.
The secondary goal is to create a sense of community and support among the elements of the SMACNA extended family by working toward a common goal—furthering the education of individual members of the family.
Visit smacna.org/about-smacna/scholarships for more information and to apply. ■
