PPATEC welcomes Gary Nouse as instructor to lead propane training program

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) named industry veteran Gary Nouse to lead the strategic direction and instructional offerings of its propane training curriculum.

PPATEC opened its new trade school in Grantville, Pennsylvania, in 2025 to serve as a regional hub for hands-on propane training, as the industry faces workforce shortages and growing safety demands. Nouse brings more than 40 years of propane industry experience to the role.

Nouse will guide PPATEC’s adoption of a more targeted, modular training approach aligned with the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) Propane Education Program (PEP). The program restructures traditional training into smaller, job-specific learning paths rather than broad, one-size-fits-all coursework.

“Having worked nearly every role in the propane industry, Gary understands exactly what employees need to know on day one — and what can come later,” says Ted Harris, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association. “That perspective is critical when designing learning paths that are both efficient and effective.”

Nouse began his career in entry-level positions, including coating DOT cylinders, working as a service and installation technician, and driving a bobtail. He later advanced through nearly every operational role in the field, gaining extensive experience in safety, operations and workforce development. He also serves in leadership roles with multiple propane industry trade associations.

At PPATEC, Nouse is helping develop hands-on instruction that mirrors real-world field conditions. Students train using a full range of interior and exterior propane equipment in a controlled environment, reinforcing classroom instruction with practical application.

“These learning paths can be customized to meet a company’s or employee’s needs,” says Nouse. “When people focus on what they need to know, when they need to know it, and reinforce that with hands-on learning, the training becomes more meaningful – and safer.”

The modular structure also allows employees to return for advanced training as their responsibilities grow, supporting long-term career development and continuous learning within the industry.

PPATEC leaders say combining PERC’s modular training model with instructors who bring decades of real-world experience will help close the gap between classroom instruction and field readiness, preparing a safer, more efficient propane workforce.

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