Certified Employee Training Program (CETP)
2024 Schedule
Certification Courses and PERC Training Accounts
Testing for certified courses will be conducted online during the class training. This provides the student with immediate results. Students should come to the first day of training prepared to log in and access their PERC training account. For assistance with existing accounts or to set up a new account, please visit the PERC Learning Center.
1.0 Basic Principles and Practices of Propane
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This entry level course is a prerequisite to the more advanced classes. It provides instruction about propane’s physical combustion properties, and how propane is produced and transported. Other topics covered include the organizations that influence, publish or enforce codes and standards; how basic functions are performed in a bulk plant, including primary safety concerns and customer service; odorants and service interruptions; complete and incomplete combustion characteristics, and much more.
April 9-10 – Clare
May 7-8 – Frankenmuth
August 6-7 – Manistique
August 13-14 – Frankenmuth
September 4-5 – Clare
October 1-2 – Clare
2.2 Bobtail Delivery Operations
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This course provides information for drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles to deliver propane. It also covers bobtail equipment and systems; explains a bobtail’s basic equipment and systems, including the cargo tank, gauges, valves, pumps, meters, delivery hoses and emergency discharge control equipment; presents detailed procedures for safely loading a bobtail using the plant pump; discusses DOT requirements for bobtail inspections; and reviews the features and installation requirements of ASME tanks at customer locations.
April 23-24 – Clare
May 21-22 – Frankenmuth
September 11-12 – Manistique
September 17-18 – Frankenmuth
October 15-16 – Clare
2.4 Cylinder Delivery Operations
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This course is primarily designed to train propane delivery personnel who operate cylinder delivery vehicles. The course provides information, practices, and procedures that support many general delivery tasks. Topics include DOT licensing and driving requirements; driving requirements and restrictions for drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to deliver propane; vehicle inspections; identification, and documentation highlights; safely handling hazardous materials, the hazards of handling a variety of flammable and combustible liquids; and the associated safety measures. In addition, driving defensively and handling accidents and emergencies; vehicle parking, servicing, and security; preparing cylinders for filling; and filling cylinders and delivering cylinders.
June 4-5 – Clare
3.1 Plant Operations
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Provides information, practices, and procedures that support many general plant operations tasks. This course is primarily designed to train employees who inspect and fill DOT cylinders and ASME tanks at the bulk plant; requalify DOT cylinders; maintain cylinders, tanks, and bulk plant equipment systems; and other propane employees who could benefit from sections of this course, including plant managers and plant office personnel.
June 11-13 – Clare
3.6 Performing Railcar Product Transfer
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and strategies for field personnel, primarily on safely loading and unloading railcars. It provides information, practices, and procedures that support employees working in propane bulk plants that accept and dispatch railcar deliveries. Topics include identifying the hazards associated with handling and transferring propane and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); railcar documentation, condition requirements and spotting procedures; bulk plant railcar loading/unloading systems and components, verifying the presence of odorant; and loading and unloading railcar procedures.
May 14-15 – Clare
4.1 Designing and Installing Exterior Vapor Distribution Systems
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Focuses on designing and installing the exterior portions of a vapor distribution system for both residential and small commercial markets. It addresses how to select and install containers, prevent corrosion, size and install regulators and meters, and select and install outdoor piping and tubing. In addition, designing vapor systems (container and lines); designing vapor distribution systems (regulators and meters); preparing system components for transport; installing containers, lines, regulators and meters; system tests; and safety information.
July 16-18 – Clare
August 20-22 – Manistique
4.2 Placing Vapor Distribution Systems and Appliances into Operation
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Focuses primarily on the procedure of placing a vapor distribution system into operation. This course addresses the different system tests required for vapor distribution systems and appliances; validating the container, piping, and regulator; how and when to make the final connections; how to purge the system of air, appliance controls and safety devices; and how to adjust the burner.
July 23-25 - Clare
September 24-26 – Manistique
5.1 Designing and Installing Dispenser Transfer Systems
Class is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Covers all general knowledge that a propane employee would need to use and operate a dispenser. The book includes information on dispenser tank valves, fittings and locations; and installing, start up and, shut down procedures of a dispenser transfer system. In addition, this course will cover the following: maintain and troubleshoot propane pumps; maintain and troubleshoot propane compressors; inspect and maintain propane liquid meters; maintain propane valves, flow monitors, and hoses; and inspect and maintain liquid transfer systems.
June 18-19 – Clare
Refresher Training Classes
Refresher Training Classes are for students who have previously completed the certification process and need to complete the 3-year recertification.
General Information
Classes are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The registration fee for each course is $125 and includes course materials, lunch and refreshment breaks. A refund less a $25 administrative fee will be provided for cancellations received at least 7 days in advance. Attendance at all classes is by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY. Classes size is limited.
Class Locations
Bavarian Inn Restaurant
713 S. Main Street
Frankenmuth, MI
Comfort Inn Manistique
607 E. Lakeshore Drive
Manistique, MI
906-341-6981
Doherty Hotel
604 N. McEwan
Clare, MI
989-386-3441
For assistance, contact the MPGA office at 517-487-2021.