PPA Hosts Ribbon Cutting Event to Celebrate New Facility & Training 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.
The ceremony drew over 125 attendees, including federal and state legislators, PA Department of Education, PA Department of Labor, and the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Pictured left from right: Mike DeBerdine, Rhoads Energy (PPA Propane Committee Chair), State Senator Chris Gebhard (PA 48th Senatorial District), Andy Bradigan, Bradigans, Inc. (PPA Treasurer), Steve Oehlert, Oehlert Bros (PPA President), Ted Harris, PPA (PPA Executive Vice President), Jason Flohr, Edris Oil Service, Inc. (PPA Vice President), Jim Barber, Link Service Heating & Cooling (PPA Education Chair)
Nearly 50 industry manufacturers, supply houses, and industry stakeholders donated equipment to the facility that will be used for hands-on training purposes. Many of those donors were in attendance at the August 19 event. The wide scope of available equipment will position the association to be 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 spaces. In total, the new property will triple the capacity for educational activity and create expanded space to pursue the 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 features new training offerings for equipment installation/replacement, light commercial, and plumbing applications. The exterior of the property features a bulk propane tank, donated by Hiltz Propane Systems, that will offer unmatched training solutions for propane distribution systems.
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 45 individuals have graduated from the program since its inception to return to their employer or accept an employment offer to enter the industry.
