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On April 1, the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) held its third annual Shoot For Scholarships fundraising event. 146 participants from dozens of companies raised more than $27,000 to help fund the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation. The event proceeds this year were the most ever raised for the foundation. The foundation, named after industry-leader Bob […]

On April 11, the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) and held its second annual Shoot For Scholarships fundraising event. More than 130 participants from dozens of regional energy marketers and HVAC contractors raised more than $16,500, which will help fund the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation. The foundation, named after industry-leader Bob Boltz, is a nonprofit foundation established […]

On July 11, 2022 PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) launched our inaugural 10-Week HVAC & Energy Professional Program. This program was the result of a multi-year effort that included a building expansion, Pennsylvania Department of Education certification, and Veteran Affairs approval. Course curriculum for the 400-hour program includes electric, air conditioning, gas/oil heating, […]

As the propane industry continues to face workforce challenges and increasing safety demands, training programs must evolve to prepare employees faster—without sacrificing quality. In 2025, the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) opened a new trade school located in Grantville, PA with the intent of being a regional hub for hands-on propane training solution. […]

STUDENTS HAVE IMMEDIATE CAREER OPPORUTNITIES IN THE HVAC & ENERGY INDUSTRY Five new individuals will be making the transition from a student to an employee for the upcoming 2023-2024 heating season. On September 15, PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for their HVAC & Energy Professional Program. The September 15 […]

19 STUDENTS WILL PURSUE CAREERS IN THE HVAC & ENERGY INDUSTRY Nineteen students have recently graduated from the HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 12, PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a ceremony for its graduating students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements and […]

STUDENTS WILL PURSUE CAREERS IN THE HVAC & ENERGY INDUSTRY Fourteen students have recently graduated the HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements as well […]

16 STUDENTS WILL PURSUE CAREERS IN THE HVAC & ENERGY INDUSTRY Sixteen students have recently graduated the HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On March 21, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements and […]

STUDENTS ABLE TO MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT IN THE HVAC & ENERGY FIELD Nine new individuals will be entering the workforce after graduating the HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On March 22, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present […]

PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) is excited to announce a new workforce development initiative called the 10-Week HVAC & Energy Professional Program. This gateway program was created to recruit and train new individuals into our industry. It will also serve as an onboarding training program for PPA members who hire entry level field […]

PPATEC HIRES SECOND FULL TIME TECHINCAL INSTRUCTOR  MIKE ELMER JOINS ASSOCIATION TO EXPAND HVAC & PLUMBING TRAINING OFFERINGS      (MIDDLETOWN, Pa) — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is excited to announce the hiring of Mike Elmer as the association’s newest team member to serve in the role of Technical Instructor. The PPA is a […]

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM SPACE WILL ACCOMMODATE GROWING HVAC AND ENERGY TRAINING DEMAND The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) announced the completion of the most recent phase of the planned expansion of its training center in Middletown. The expansion brings the total floorplan to more than 4,000 square feet dedicated to HVAC and energy training programs. The PPA is […]

ALAN MERCURIO RETIREMENT & DOUG ZERBE HIRING    (MIDDLETOWN, PA) — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is announcing a series of changes to PPATEC technical instructor staff in 2025. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 450+ energy stakeholders. PPA operates PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) which offers leading hands-on technical training […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) recently completed the purchase of a 2.2-acre property that features an existing 12,000+ sq ft building located in Grantville, PA. This location will ultimately serve as the future association headquarters and operating facility of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). The $2.5 million project will feature significant building […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 19 to celebrate the new association headquarters and operating facility of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). The 2.2-acre property located in Grantville, PA was purchased in September 2024, and it features a 12,000+ sq ft building that was customized during a multi-month renovation project. […]

PPA NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DON MUMMA JOINS ASSOCIATION DURING A PERIOD OF GROWTH AND EXPANSION   (MIDDLETOWN, Pa) — The PA Petroleum Association (PPA) announced today the hiring of Don Mumma as the association’s new Director of Training and Workforce Development. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 400+ […]

  (Grantville, PA) — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is excited to announce a multi-year partnership with R.W. Beckett Corporation at the new PPATEC trade school located in Grantville, PA. The 12,000+ sq ft facility will position PPATEC to significantly expand hands-on technical training solutions for individuals employed in the HVAC and energy industry. PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) […]

(Grantville, PA) — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is excited to announce a multi-year partnership with R.E. Michel Company at the new PPATEC trade school located in Grantville, PA. The 12,000+ sq ft facility will position PPATEC to offer more hands-on technical training solutions for individuals employed in the HVAC and energy industry. PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum […]

(Grantville, PA) — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is excited to announce a multi-year partnership with Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC at the newly constructed PPATEC trade school located in Grantville, PA. The 12,000+ sq ft facility, which opened in July 2025, significantly expands hands-on technical training solutions for individuals employed in the HVAC and energy industry. PPATEC […]

FUNDS FROM INAUGURAL EVENT WILL SUPPORT HVAC TRAINING AND PROGRAM TUITION (MIDDLETOWN, PA) — On April 5, the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) held its first-ever Shoot For Scholarships fundraising event. More than 90 participants from dozens of regional energy marketers and HVAC contractors raised more than $11,000, which will help fund the Robert V. Boltz […]

If you’re thinking about getting into the HVAC industry, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where you get your training. You want a program that actually prepares you for the job — not just in theory, but in hands-on training and transferable skills. Hear from September 2024 graduate Mike Mooney on why the […]