PPA partners with campaign to hire military veterans

PPATEC offered two 10-week programs in 2023 to train HVAC and energy professionals. (Photo courtesy of PPA staff)

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) has partnered with Hire Heroes USA, an employment assistance network for military veterans.

“Our organization is working to offer our veterans something in addition to gratitude: an opportunity for a secure future,” says Ted Harris, PPA’s executive vice president. “Partnering with Hire Heroes USA will boost the signal to more Pennsylvania veterans, making these opportunities more available to more people.”

Hire Heroes USA partners with businesses across the United States to create and communicate training and employment opportunities for military veterans and spouses as they transition to civilian careers.

A 10-week HVAC and Energy Professional Program is currently offered through PPA’s Technical Education Center (PPATEC). The curriculum is tailored to give Pennsylvania’s veterans the baseline skills needed to secure a job in the HVAC and energy industry.

PPATEC was formally approved by the Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept GI Bill benefits, allowing eligible veteran attendees to have tuition expenses paid.

The PPA represents more than 400 companies within the energy industry from all of Pennsylvania, where members are actively looking for motivated individuals to join their companies. The average HVAC and energy technician salary in Pennsylvania is $54,740, and there are currently more than 2,000 positions open across the state, according to the PPA.

Through a separate 501(c)(3) scholarship program, PPATEC can help students complete the program with minimal out-of-pocket costs. The program is also a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved private licensed school.

Earlier this year, the PPA completed another phase of the planned expansion of its training center in Middletown, Pennsylvania, bringing its total floorplan to more than 4,000 sq. ft. dedicated to HVAC and energy training programs. The association ultimately plans to make significant investments to double the size of building space by 2026 and already relocated its administrative operations to a separate location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is part of a 10-year strategic plan of training expansion initiatives, which also included the addition of a new director of training and workforce development at the end of 2022.