Many employees in today’s workforce remember what it’s like to be a young adult who is not entirely sure which career path they want to follow. PERC’s HVAC Technical School Grant Program aims to open new doors for students by introducing them to the propane industry and giving them valuable hands-on learning experience.
Technical schools, vocational programs, and community colleges are eligible to apply for grants through the HVAC Technical School Grant Program. Accepted schools receive grants of up to $10,000 to outfit their school’s labs with propane-specific equipment, including a variety of appliances, gas pipe, tubing, and fitting samples, a propane hydrometer, and a regulator test and demo training board. Working with this equipment prepares students for HVAC and plumbing careers.
Instructors from the accepted schools attend a Train the Trainer, HVAC event, hosted by PERC, to familiarize themselves with the curriculum and get hands-on training with the equipment before implementing it in their classrooms. Members of the propane industry serve as designated advisors to each school, providing guidance and assisting with technical questions. The advisors also sign off on the installation of the propane appliances and equipment, ensuring safety standards are met.
As part of the 2023 program, 32 schools from 20 states completed the HVAC grant program. Congratulations to the 2023 schools and their advisors!
- 916 Career and Tech Center, Minnesota (Dan Newton, Beaudry Oil and Propane)
- Arkansas High School, Arkansas (Donnie Rhea, Arkansas Propane Education & Research Council)
- Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, Maine (Michael Winchenbach and Jim Godbout, UA Local 716, Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating/Provencher Fuels)
- Blanson CTE High School, Texas
- Butler Tech, Ohio (Zack Hart, Airgas)
- Canadian Valley Technology Center, Oklahoma (Nicholas Nadeau, Oklahoma LP Gas Administration)
- Central Carolina Community College, North Carolina (Kevin Craft, Blossman Gas)
- Chippewa Valley Technical College, Wisconsin (Barry Hines, Chippewa Valley Energy)
- Delaware County Community College, Pennsylvania (David O’Connell and Wayne Johnson, Wilson Oil & Propane)
- Estes Park High School, Colorado
- Floyd County Area Technology Center, Kentucky (Tim Moore, Moore’s Hardware)
- Franklin Technology Center, Missouri (Andy Gosney, Missouri Propane Gas Association)
- Hampton University, Virginia (Rick Reuter, Power Mechanical Inc.)
- Hawkeye Community College, Iowa (Jamie Annis, Sam Annis & Co.)
- Illinois Central College, Illinois (Loren L Meeker, Manito Oil & Propane, LLC)
- Kiamichi Technology Center, Oklahoma (Darron Moore, Blackburn Propane Service)
- Madisonville North Hopkins High School, Kentucky (Shane Fortner, Fortner Gas Co.)
- Medina County Career Center, Ohio (Frank C. Edwards, Jr., Coles Energy, Inc.)
- Mid-Del Technology Center, Oklahoma (Bob Billen, Oklahoma LP Gas Administration)
- Midlands Technical College, South Carolina (Eric Taylor, Palmetto Propane Fuels)
- Montcalm Area Career Center, Michigan (Scott Underwood, Altogas)
- Northwest Technical College, Minnesota (Trevor Beaudry, Beaudry Oil & Propane)
- Pontotoc Technology Center, Oklahoma (Dan Fitzpatrick, Oklahoma LP Gas Research)
- PPATEC, Pennsylvania (Don Mumma, PPATEC)
- Spartanburg Community College, South Carolina (Kevin Stalcup, Superior Plus Energy)
- Sundance High School, Wyoming (Phil Schutt, Blakeman Propane, Inc.)
- Thomas Edison High School/Fareira Skills Center, Pennsylvania
- University of Wisconsin Platteville, Wisconsin (Tim Lease, Premier Cooperative)
- Washburn Institute of Technology, Kansas
- Wonderview High School, Arkansas (Donnie Rhea, Arkansas PERC)
- Worcester Technical High School, Maryland (Phillip Church, Sharp Energy)
- York Technical College, South Carolina
