Education in Evolving Energy World
Staying ahead of the evolving energy competition requires that you take a relentless approach to education and learning. Competing with the electrify-everything crowd means you must be determined to increase your knowledge base. Every aspect of operating a propane business is in some stage of improvement that can allow you to compete for decades to come. Education in Evolving Energy World.
Not learning about and incorporating those improvements will eventually threaten your business success and your career.
Fortunately, the propane industry has focused on a variety of ways to provide continuous education for its members, no matter what role they may have in the industry.
PERC programs
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) leads the way with education and training content for most aspects of the propane business. The PERC Learning Center, found at propane.com, has three areas of focus:
- Market and industry training.
- Certified Employee Training Program (CETP).
- Safety and technical training.
PERC sets a good example for continuous improvement with its education and training programs. As an example, the popular CETP program will be transitioning soon to the PERC Education Program (PEP), a more modular-based learning path that is task-specific.
The new program will be accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, assuring the quality of the instructional materials. The PERC Learning Center is a supermarket of propane-related content to help you establish your continuous learning game plan.
Your checkoff dollars are paying for the creation and continuous improvement of this excellent education resource. Make sure your entire work team is taking advantage of it.
NPGA programs
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and affiliated state and regional propane associations also have an important role in continuous learning, particularly regarding emerging business trends.
For example, the annual NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo has a comprehensive education program of which attendees can take advantage.
There are 24 separate education sessions presented in the convention center complex. Eight additional fast-track sessions are held in a semi-private area on the trade show floor.
Planning for the 2025 Expo education program is already underway.
The proposal requests are grouped into the following learning tracks:
- Safety and standards: Regulatory and training requirements and best practices.
- Business operations: Building stability, growth and profitability.
- Sales and marketing: Customer acquisition and retention strategies.
- Propane storage management: Monitoring, routing and delivery technology.
- Propane applications: New and advanced uses of propane in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
This education curriculum (coupled with four technical workshops), gives learning opportunities for everyone, no matter what roles they play in the propane industry.
Visit the Expo trade show with more than 200 vendors ready to educate you on the latest products and services in the liquid gas industry. The 2025 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 4-6. Be there to absorb the knowledge you will need to compete in the evolving energy world in which we live.
Local resources
Look to your affiliated state or regional propane associations for education offerings incorporated into their meetings, conventions and online programs. They are valuable education resources that are close to home. Take advantage of them whenever possible.
Outsmarting the competition is easier if everyone on your propane team follows a plan for continuous learning. Personal growth and business growth often go together, and they should. May your propane business prosper.
Source:
Tom Jaenicke is vice president of propane marketing services for Warm Thoughts Communications.
https://www.techedmagazine.com/category/news-by-industry/energy-education/