Companies Support Oil, Gas Training Center
By Anonymous
Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont has received a gift from Chesapeake Energy and three of its subsidiary companies to support its oil and gas training program.
Scott Rotruck, vice president-corporate development for Chesapeake Energy, recently presented Pierpont Community & Technical College President Blair Montgomery with $90,000 in support of the college’s Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center at the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center in Buckhannon.
The gift, the first major donation to the center, is comprised of $30,000 from Chesapeake Energy; $40,000 from Gene D. Yost & Son Inc.; $10,000 from Diamond Y Enterprises Inc.; and $10,000 from Great Plains Oilfield Rental LLC.
“Chesapeake’s goal, shared with many of its industry colleagues, is to lead the industry in providing its employees with the best tools and training in order that they may continue delivering industry-leading value creation,” Rotruck said.
“We believe that the Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center will be a training resource that will develop a more highly trained work force for entry-level positions. It is crucial to West Virginia to develop a training infrastructure to support the demand for new entrants into careers for the energy sector.”
Supported by the Community & Technical College System of West Virginia, Pierpont Community & Technical College said it is working with industry partners to prepare a qualified work force. The college operates the Training Center to help people learn the skills they need to gain employment and work safely in the expanding industry.
Brad Cayton, who has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. is the primary instructor at the Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center. Keith Nichols is project manager for Pierpont C&TC.
The Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center features the only drilling simulator in West Virginia.
“We are extremely grateful to Chesapeake Energy for this generous gift and for their support of our training center in Buckhannon,” Montgomery said.
He said the center began a little over a year ago at Braxton County High School as an initiative of the Community & Technical System of West Virginia with support from oil and gas companies throughout the state.
“The gift by Chesapeake Energy, relocation of the center to Buckhannon in partnership with the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center and continued support by regional companies will increase our ability to train skilled workers while supporting employment opportunities for people throughout the region,” he said.
Pierpont C&TC’s training program was approved by the International Association of Drilling Contractors and prepares students who want to begin a career in the industry. Knowledge of safe working practices in the oil and gas industry is a major focus of the program.
Students achieve IADC RigPass and CPR/First Aid certification. Completion of an IADC RigPass accredited program confirms that personnel have met basic safety and skill requirements, irrespective of the rig location. Hands-on training on an actual drilling rig simulator is an integral part of the training program.
“Most jobs in the oil and gas industry offer higher-than-average pay and excellent benefits packages,” said Paul Schreffler, director of Economic and Workforce Education for Pierpont C&TC. “Based on statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, oil well drillers command a higher income than most other blue-collar occupations.”
Pierpont Community & Technical College said its mission is to provide opportunities for learning, training and further education that enrich the lives of individuals and promote the economic growth of our service region and state. Pierpont C&TC’s service region includes 13 counties in north-central West Virginia: Barbour, Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor and Upshur.
Information on the Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center and other career training programs at Pierpont C&TC’s Center for Workforce Education is available online at www.fairmontstate.edu/ce or by calling (304) 367-4920.
Copyright State Journal Corporation May 9, 2008
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