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for the development of the required training and technician. The approval received from DOL was for
NPGA will serve as an administrator of the program the driver apprenticeship program, which includes
for the industry by registering with DOT as a training bobtail drivers, transport drivers and utility or service NPGA NEWS
provider. Individual companies, however, have the truck drivers. NPGA is still awaiting approval of its
option to register as a training provider and provide application for the service technician apprenticeship
the training themselves. program, which is expected in the coming weeks.

Workforce Development Initiatives NPGA will be the administrator of the Registered
Apprenticeship program and is developing guidelines
Discussed for industry on how companies can participate in the

apprenticeship program and what data NPGA would
NPGA’s Workforce Development Task Force met need to track for compliance and submittal to the
to discuss several items related to workforce Department of Labor. Each apprenticeship program
initiatives. The most notable issue discussed was will be based on an individual’s competency level for
the announcement that, as of Friday, September 27, a given job classification and not based on completion
2019, NPGA had officially received formal approval of a specified number of hours of training.
from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) of its
application for a national Registered Apprenticeship Given that the task force has completed its original
Program. objectives, the task force’s next steps will be to seek
input from NPGA leadership as to its preferred future
NPGA had submitted two separate applications direction and how its work may coincide with the
for approval of apprenticeship programs for two work of PERC’s workforce recruitment efforts.
industry job classifications, i.e. driver and service

73rd Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo

The Conventions Committee convened September 30 in
conjunction with the NPGA Fall Board of Directors at
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania. The
committee discussed the 73rd Southeastern Convention and
International Propane Expo, themed “Nashville 2020: Setting
the Tone for Propane,” taking place at the Music City Center in
Nashville, Tennessee, April 6-8, 2020. The overall schedule of
activities will remain the same as 2018, however, it is notable that
the days of week pattern has changed to Monday - Wednesday for
2020.

The group announced that Jimmy Yeary, a singer, songwriter, and speaker has been confirmed as the keynote
speaker. Yeary has written more than two thousand songs, and nine of them have been certified as “Number
1” hit singles by Billboard Magazine. Additionally, the education program is finalized, the exhibitor prospectus
was mailed in September, and Expo booth sales will start October 7. Housing is set to open in mid-October and
attendee registration will open in December.

GPGA MARKETER November 2019 PAGE 19