(Middletown, Pa) — Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On Sept. 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 as acknowledging their exciting new career choice.
The September 2024 HVAC & Energy Professional Program graduates included Anthony Morales (Pottsville, Schuylkill County), Christopher Falbo (Shippensburg, Cumberland County), Devon Spadt (Palmerton, Carbon County), Dominic Cruz (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Dywan Blanding (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Jaionne Miller (Lemoyne, Cumberland County), Josh Shore (Dover, York County), Juan Harris (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Man Singh Magar (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Marquan Whiting (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Michael Mooney (New Oxford, Adams County), Pupsa Kafle (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Tate Petrides (Aspers, Adams County) and Walker Martin (East Earl, Lancaster County). Six of the fourteen graduates were $3,000 recipients of the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation.
The following students will be entering the workforce immediately upon graduation:
- Anthony Morales (accepted a position with Rick’s Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. prior to graduation)
- Devon Spadt (enrolled as an employee of RF Ohl while attending the program)
- Dominic Cruz (accepted a position with Home Climates prior to graduation)
- Dywan Blanding (accepted a position with HL Bowman prior to graduation)
- Juan Harris (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Michael Mooney (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Tate Petrides (accepted a position with Zimmerman Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning prior to graduation)
- Walker Martin (accepted a position with Kauffman Gas prior to graduation)
PPATEC, an arm of the PA 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 450+ 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 Ted Harris, PPATEC’s Executive Vice President, 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 Harris.
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 https://ppatec.com/.
