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Apprenticeship: Recruit and Train New Drivers
Marketers face the challenge of recruiting
new employees in a tight job market. NPGA’s Regis-
tered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a valuable tool
marketers can use to recruit and train new employ-
ees. The Apprenticeship Program includes four paths
to certification. One path is for propane service tech-
nicians, and the other three pertain to driving com-
mercial motor vehicles. All training is through PERC’s
learning management system and a qualified mentor.
Marketers interested in RAP should first enroll as an
Employer Sponsor using the forms available on NP-
GA’s apprenticeship website. NPGA was able to ensure that the regulations are

The Apprenticeship Program allows Employer interpreted accurately - that all electric power to the
Sponsors to recruit workers and utilize local resources product transfer equipment would be cut off, but not
effectively, and in some states, this includes drivers all electric power to the vehicle. Consequently, NPGA
who are 18 years old. Currently, there are eleven was able to preserve safety and eliminate improper
states that allow drivers over the age of 18 to ob- enforcement of the HMR with respect to the Remote
tain a CDL with a Hazardous Material Endorsement Power Shut Off regulations. For further information,
(HME). Including the Registered Apprenticeship please contact NPGA Senior Vice President of Regula-
Program in your employee training, will help your tory and Industry Affairs Benjamin Nussdorf.■
company train skilled, competent drivers and provide Take Advantage of New Labor Pools
more documentation for your insurance providers.
For the past few years, the propane industry
Choosing the apprenticeship route often has sought to alleviate workforce issues by working
results in greater employee retention. According to with state legislatures to lower the age at which a
the Department of Labor, 94 percent of apprentices Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder can obtain
retain employment after completing their programs. a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) for intra-
For more information on NPGA’s Registered Ap- state commerce – operating solely within the bound-
prenticeship Program and to sign up as an Employer aries of a single state. This allows eligible drivers
Sponsor, please visit www.npga.org/apprentice- between the ages of 18-20 to drive bobtail, transport,
ship-program or contact NPGA’s Senior Manager of and cylinder trucks. Importantly, this effort allows
State Association Relations, Eric Sears.■ the propane industry to engage workers before they
PHMSA Guidance: Remote Power Shut Off Regula- are professionally invested in another industry that
tions requires a CDL but not an HME. This effort is paying
On August 12, 2025, NPGA secured important off. In recent months, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio have
guidance from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials all passed laws to lower their HME age for intrastate
Administration (PHMSA) regarding interpretation of commerce. This is in addition to the 10 states where
its Remote Power Shut Off regulations, which are part the practice was already legal.
of the hazardous materials regulations (HMR). NPGA NPGA encourages propane marketers operat-
worked with PHMSA for months regarding state en- ing in these states, especially those facing persistent
forcement of the HMR, where the state believed the workforce issues, to take advantage of their ability
regulations required all electric power to a vehicle be to engage a new segment of the labor pool to meet
shut off in certain situations. Such an interpretation their business needs. And the potential is real. As
presented an unreasonable risk to both the driver detailed below, propane retailers can now engage
and the product, and was contrary to the needs of 2.5 million more potential workers to fill vital roles at
both NPGA and its members. With member support, their companies across 13 states.

34 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2025