Written on: September 22, 2025 by ICM
Nineteen students recently graduated from the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 12, PPATEC held a ceremony for the graduating students, which the organization said was the trade school’s largest class to date. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements and acknowledge their exciting new career choice.
The September 2025 HVAC & Energy Professional Program graduates included Andrew Lambdin, Angel Enamorado, Ari Huberman, Blake Bechtel, Bryce Mickolic, Bryce Ulrich, Caleb Davidson, Chance Greene, Christopher Taylor, Erick Prather, Grant Hedgson, Jeffery Ortega, Josh Murphy, Laken Dopp, Madix Bracken, Michael Bracken, Michael Gonzalez, Scott Wickizer, Stephon Prester and Ty Ely.
Seven of the graduates were $3,000 recipients of the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation. Two of the graduates previously served in the United States Armed Forces and were able to utilize their GI Bill benefits to offset tuition.
Over 75% of students will graduate from the program with employment secured. Participating employers include Ace Robbins, Countryside Fuel, Leaps & Bounds HVAC, Rhoads Energy, Reliant Heating & Cooling (a division of Seth Energy), Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., Handyside Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical, Frey Lutz, Haller Enterprises, Oehlert Brothers, and Ely Heating and Cooling.
PPATEC, an arm of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA), offers leading hands-on technical training solutions for the HVAC and energy industry. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 475+ energy stakeholders. PPATEC is 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 skills needed to secure a job in the HVAC and energy industry. Since then, graduates of the program have routinely enjoyed multiple employment offers, often graduating on a Friday and going into a new career the following Monday.
According to Don Mumma, PPATEC’s Director of Training & Workforce Development, there is a state-wide shortage of more than 2,000 HVAC and energy technicians—jobs with an average annual salary well above $50,000. PPATEC created its entry-level training program to help PPA members fill that pressing need.
“We’re glad to play a role in preparing these—and other—young men and women for family-sustaining careers in an in-demand field,” says Mumma.
Candidates have multiple opportunities for financial support. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits to defray the cost of the program. PPATEC also routinely offers scholarships to candidates. In addition, PPA members have an opportunity to sponsor a candidate entering the program. To learn more about PPATEC’s program, visit ppatec.com.
