Written on: September 15, 2025 by ICM
The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August to celebrate the new association headquarters and operating facility of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). Located in Grantville, PA, the 2.2-acre property was purchased in September 2024, and it features a 12,000+ sq ft building that was customized during a multi-month renovation project.
Pictured L to R: PPA Propane Committee Chair Mike DeBerdine, Rhoads Energy; State Senator Chris Gebhard (PA 48th Senatorial District); PPA Treasurer Andy Bradigan, Bradigans, Inc.; PPA President Steve Oehlert, Oehlert Bros; PPA Executive VP Ted Harris; PPA VP Jason Flohr, Edris Oil Service, Inc.; and PPA Education Chair Jim Barber, Link Service Heating & Cooling.
The ceremony drew over 125 attendees, including Federal and State legislators, PA Dept. of Education, PA Dept. of Labor, and the PA Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs. Nearly 50 industry manufacturers, supply houses and industry stakeholders donated equipment to the facility that will be used for hands-on training purposes. 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,” said PPA Executive VP Ted Harris.
“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.”
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 live-fire labs and three 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.
