North Campus to Offer Marcellus Shale-Related Training, Resources

Pennsylvania College of Technology, through its Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center, will offer training at its North Campus near Wellsboro starting in January.

The first offering will be an intensive 160-hour pre-employment program that will provide the safety and technical skills necessary for an entry-level position as a roustabout.

In addition to the roustabout program, a 180-hour commercial-driver training course will be offered in February. The course is designed specifically to address the needs of the oil-and-gas industry. Topics to be addressed include close-quarter maneuvering, operating class "A" equipment on lease roads, and high-center loads, in addition to common skills necessary for a typical commercial driver.

Other classes specific to the oil-and-gas industry will include Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety training, programmable logic controllers, roughneck training, and well-operator training. Schedules for the additional courses are forthcoming.

Penn College also has resources available for oil-and-gas companies that are new to the region. The North Campus offers custom courses for the industry in many technical disciplines.

"Penn College and the MSETC have become a resource to the industry for the development and delivery of training, providing meeting space for companies moving in, as well as facilities for video conferencing," said Jeffrey F. Lorson, industrial technology specialist with the college. "We are providing the connection with the field operations and corporate headquarters that may be miles away or even across the country."

"We are looking forward to being involved in many aspects of preparing our local workforce for emerging and existing jobs in the natural-gas industry," said Brenda G. Abplanalp, director of North Campus outreach services. "The opportunities for the Northern Tier are just beginning to be realized, and the North Campus will be a part of the economic growth stimulated by the industry."

For more information on noncredit training related to the oil-and-gas industry, contact the Penn College North Campus at 570-724-7703, or e-mail .

For information on two- and four-year program offerings, contact the college's Admissions Office at 570-327-4761 or toll-free 800-367-9222.