Penn College News

ShaleNET Training at Penn College Approved for Veterans Assistance

Monday, April 14, 2014

Several ShaleNET certificate training offerings at Pennsylvania College of Technology have been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans eligible under a VA training assistance program.



The approved training courses are: Roustabout, Floor Hand and Welder’s Helper.

Roustabout training prepares students for a variety of entry-level positions in the oil and natural gas industry. Students learn to assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools.

Floor Hand training prepares students to work on natural gas and oil rigs at the entry level. Students learn to work rig derrick equipment, operate pumps, and inspect and repair pumps and related equipment.

Welder’s Helper training prepares students to work on natural gas pipelines or job sites. Also covered are the fundamentals of downhand welding.

All three programs emphasize job-readiness training and the rules of gas industry safety, and each provides an understanding of the skills needed in the industry.

Penn College plans to offer three-week sessions of Roustabout training during June, July, August and September.

The oil and natural gas industry seeks qualified, hardworking individuals to fill positions, and veterans have been shown to possess the required skill sets. Workers in the industry must be safety-conscious, resourceful, professional, dependable and accustomed to working in team environments, making the industry a good fit for veterans.

Students completing the Roustabout and Floor Hand training receive the following certifications: PEC Safeland USA Basic Orientation, The Crosby Group Land Based Fundamentals of Rigging, Medic Plus Basic First Aid and CPR for Adults, JLG Safe Operation of Aerial Work Platforms, JLG Safe Operation of Rough Terrain Forklifts, National Safety Council Defensive Driving, and Penn College Certificate of Completion in Heavy Equipment Operation (Roustabout only).

ShaleNET is recruiting students, including veterans, to participate in the upcoming Roustabout training programs at Penn College.

For more information, visit the ShaleNET website, or contact John F. Strittmatter, director of the ShaleNET US regional hub. Online registration connects veterans to a ShaleNET career counselor.