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                     Grantville, PA — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) is excited to announce a new multi-year partnership with Carlin Combustion Technology and NTI as Founder’s Circle sponsors at the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) in Grantville, PA. As part of the partnership, Carlin and […]

Grantville, PA — PPATEC proudly recognized the accomplishments of its latest graduating class, as students completed their training and prepared to enter the skilled trades workforce.   The 400-hour program, lasting 11 weeks in length, graduated six students this session, with five already securing employment immediately following graduation. This strong placement rate reflects the continued […]

    Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center is proud to announce its participation in the Department of War SkillBridge Program, a meaningful step forward in strengthening our commitment to workforce development to military service members and establishing viable veteran career pathways. At its core, PPATEC has always focused on building strong pipelines into the […]

For many HVAC companies, electrical issues are where service calls go wrong. A technician arrives on a no-cool call, checks a few components, and replaces a part that “seems bad.” The system still doesn’t work. Now it’s a callback, a frustrated customer, and another technician sent out to fix what should have been diagnosed correctly […]

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a pivotal moment filled with both uncertainty and opportunity. For Joshua Pierce, that transition became the starting point of a new, purpose-driven career in the skilled trades. After retiring from the Army in July, Joshua initially stepped into roofing sales. But it didn’t take long for […]

On April 14th, Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) hosted their annual Shoot for Scholarships Clay Shoot, raising more than $31,000 to support the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation. This marks the highest amount ever raised through the event. The event brought together association members, industry partners, and supporters for a day of sporting clays and networking, […]

Grantville, PA — The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) proudly recognized the accomplishments of its March 27, 2026, graduating class, as students completed their training and prepared to enter the skilled trades workforce.The 400-hour program, lasting 11-weeks in length, graduated 15 students this spring, with 12 already securing employment immediately following graduation. This […]

For many students, the path after high school isn’t always straightforward. Traditional colleges work well for some, but others discover they thrive in hands-on careers where they can build real skills and enter the workforce faster. That was exactly the experience of Joey Weinman, a student who chose to pivot from a traditional college path to an intensive HVAC […]

If you plan to work on HVAC equipment anywhere in the United States, the EPA 608 Certification Prep Test is not optional, it’s federally required. Whether you’re servicing a home system in Pennsylvania, maintaining equipment in Texas, or working on commercial units in Oregon, the certification standard is the same nationwide.  At PPATEC, we understand that passing the EPA 608 exam isn’t just about checking a […]

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. […]

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 […]

(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 […]

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 […]

  (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) […]

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. […]

(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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

ASSOCIATION WILL EXPAND HVAC & ENERGY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO PA MILITARY VETERANS MIDDLETOWN, Pa. —  The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) has announced a new partnership with Hire Heroes USA employment network.   The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing independent petroleum marketers. Hire Heroes USA partners with businesses across the United States to create and […]

MEMBERS REVEAL REAL CHALLENGES, HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES  Last month, PPATEC created a Workforce Development Survey to better understand the needs of our membership. We appreciate all the member companies who took a few minutes to share their insights – and who were entered in our drawing for$1,000 credit toward PPATEC Training. Special congratulations go out to […]

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 […]

Careers await graduates of PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center)  The typical “signing ceremony” involves a young adult playing sports for a four-year college. On March 19, a regional workforce development program held a far more meaningful event — where the students in question signed on to well-paying, lifelong careers. During the ceremony, Emmanuel […]

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 […]

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+ […]

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, […]

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 […]