AJ News

Mauri Rapp Abington Journal Correspondent

Natural gas industry proponents have often pointed to one key phrase in their support of the Marcellus Shale play: job creation. Yet such a specialized industry requires a skill set that few local jobseekers may possess. To address this gap, several local institutions have created programs aimed specifically toward the natural gas industry.

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Mike Harris of Dalton stick welds a joint at Penn College.

Aimee Dilger / The Times Leader

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One such institution is Pennsylvania College of Technology, whose new Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center offers both credit and noncredit courses for natural gas technology. “There’s a tremendous amount of interest, especially with the number of people in the area who are currently unemployed or underemployed,” said the MSETC’s industrial specialist, Jeffrey Lorson. “The industry is looking for a variety of folks with different skill sets.” Courses offered including down-hand welding courses, a specific type of welding required for the industry, as well as a commercial truck driving license program. We didn’t create these programs in a vacuum,” Lorson said. “We spoke with industry experts to ask them specifically what types of long-term positions needed to be filled.”

Thus far, Lorson estimates that approximately 20 students have completed courses and become certified for jobs in the natural gas profession, with 15 currently enrolled in the roustabout program and 15 others slated to begin the program next week. Add that number to the total number of graduates that Fran Calpin, Senior Director of Public Relations at Keystone College, said have found jobs in the field. “Keystone has many recent graduates who are currently working in the emerging industry,” Calpin said, estimating that at least 25 Keystone graduates had found jobs within the Marcellus Shale industry. “That includes in the private sector as well as with government agencies.” Keystone College will soon add even more graduates to those numbers with the Gas and Alternative Technology Energy Solutions (GATES) program, a four-year program begun in the fall of 2009. Because of Keystone’s location in proximity to Marcellus Shale operations, college officials expect interest in the program to be high.

Another program which began last fall is the Gas Technology Program, offered through Lackawanna College at the school’s New Milford Center. “When Lackawanna College first became aware of the Marcellus Shale play, we identified an opportunity,” said Ryan Stalker, Director of the New Milford Center. He said the college immediately sought out a director for energy programs and hired Larry Milliken for the job. Natural gas companies were also contacted to determine what types of long-term positions would be needed. And although Stalker said that the college has students from many different backgrounds, he said that the college does look for applicants with strong math and science skills, some type of mechanical background and a strong work ethic. “Because many jobs in the field are highly technical, we look for applicants with that type of aptitude,” Stalker said. “We want students that are going to be very proactive with the program.” Approximately 20 students are currently enrolled in the program. However, Stalker added that a significant number of students already enrolled in other programs have expressed an interest in the two-year program. “Our goal is to make Lackawanna College the go-to resource for natural gas technology education,” Stalker added.

Natural gas companies are making an investment in local education, too. Penn College recently received a $15,000 contribution from Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to fund noncredit programs, and Lorson said will soon receive a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for the roustabout program. Other contributors, said Lorson, include Fortuna Energy and Highway Equipment, which donated equipment for the program. Stalker said that Lackawanna College has received a grant for $25,000 from EXCO North Coast Energy, as well as equipment from Universal Well Service. Most important, Stalker said, is the support the college has received from industry professionals in the form of paid internships, which will also include room and board. “Students will have the opportunity to work with companies all over the country to train for the technology that we will need here,” he added.