October 1, 2024
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 renovations and customized installation of technical training equipment over the next 6 – 9 months. The move will make PPATEC one of the largest industry-owned and operated trade schools in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“The PPA has been dedicated to workforce development for decades. This investment will significantly expand the association’s capacity to continue to be a leader in providing this crucial need for our membership and industry stakeholders” said Ted Harris, Executive Vice President of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association.
Expansion & Introduction of New Training Offerings
Approximately 9,000 sq ft of the existing building will be used for training related activities to establish five (5) live-fire labs and three (3) classrooms in addition to numerous outdoor space. In total, the new property will triple the capacity of PPATEC’s current offerings and create expanded space to pursue its core competency of hands-on technical training solutions.
The lab designs will include a robust expansion of air conditioning, electrical, heat pump, gas-fired systems, oil-fired systems, and propane appliances already offered by PPATEC. Additional lab space will be dedicated towards the buildout of new training offerings for equipment installation/replacement, light commercial, and plumbing applications.
Existing & Future Employees
The facility will position PPATEC to offer more hands-on technical training solutions for individuals employed in the HVAC and energy industry. PPATEC also operates a postsecondary entry-level career training institution licensed by the State Board of Private Licensing Schools and is approved by the VA to accept GI Bill® benefits. In 2022, PPATEC launched its HVAC & Energy Professional Program, a 10-week, hands-on curriculum tailored to provide the foundational skills needed to begin a career in the HVAC and energy industry. Over 30 individuals have graduated the program since its inception to return to their employer or accept an employment offer to enter the industry.
Project Timeline & Anticipated Completion Date
The initial building renovations have been contracted through A. P. Williams Inc. and will begin in October 2024. The customized build out of the live-fire training center will take place in early 2025 with an anticipated completion date of late spring or early summer 2025. PPA members will be updated periodically throughout the project.
