Chipping in for energy education

Energy training programs get boost from federal grants, industry

BY MARNIE LAHTINEN

Today’s economy is creating new demands for technicians in the energy sector and Bismarck State College is enhancing its technical programs to meet those needs. A recent grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and a donation from energy company Hess Corp. will provide BSC financial support for these job-driven technical programs.

The college is the lead recipient of a $9.9 million federal grant for an association of North Dakota schools called the TREND (Training for Regional Energy in North Dakota) Consortium. This is the second Department of Labor grant for the consortium, which includes BSC, Williston State College, Sitting Bull College and Turtle Mountain Community College. The grant funding is designated for the development and expansion of training programs within the energy, welding, transportation and construction sectors.

“BSC has established energy programs, so funding has been used to add lab and other equipment, provide additional training for faculty and to provide more services to students,” says Emily McKay, TREND Consortium project director.

McKay, who is based at BSC, says there are three main goals for this round of federal funding. “First, the consortium plans to increase training and credentialing efforts in the transportation, welding, construction and energy industries,” she says. “There is a specific focus on career pathways so that participants in TREND programs can get training that will lead to high-wage, high-skill jobs in a shorter amount of time (nine months – two years).” TREND par- ticipants graduate with a certificate or an associate’s degree, depending on their course of study. Additionally, BSC offers a bachelor’s degree in energy management.

The second funding goal focuses on curriculum delivery. “We also plan to improve curriculum delivery by offering more flexibility to our students through technology-enabled environments, night courses and blocked scheduling,” McKay says. Blocked scheduling allows for a more concentrated experience of a study. Students may have fewer classes per day but longer periods of time in the classroom in order to complete classes in an accelerated format.

Third, the consortium plans to use the federal funding to increase retention strategies. “We want to focus on retaining students once they come to school and ensure that they stay enrolled and graduate,” McKay says. “We want to give them the skills to succeed so that when they are employed, that success continues.”

Enrollment in TREND programs is increasing in tandem with employment demands in these energy sectors. “TREND programs served slightly more than 1,000 students at BSC with the first Department of Labor grant in 2012,” McKay says. “We are anticipating more than 1,700 students for this round.”

Most students in BSC’s energy programs hail from North Dakota. But because the college has a strong online energy program, it attracts individuals from all around the country, and even the globe, according to Kari Knudson, vice president of the National Energy Center for Excellence at BSC. “Bismarck State College’s energy programs are in high demand and the jobs are plentiful for students,” she says.

Currently, there are more jobs available in the TREND targeted industries than there are students in training. Local energy employers are highly engaged with Bismarck State College and the TREND Consortium as they anticipate workforce demands, according to McKay. Six local employers signed on to support the grant request from the Department of Labor.

Hess Corp., an international company focused on oil and gas exploration and production, has operations in Minot and Tioga, N.D., and maintains close ties with BSC’s mechanical maintenance program. A recent $29,621 donation from Hess will go towards the purchase of two hydraulic system trainers for the mechanical maintenance program, according to Knudson.

“The trainers, both designed and manufactured by Amatrol, will teach students how to use equipment that they will encounter on the job using industry standard components,” she says. “The hydraulic system trains students on pumps, gauges and valves, while the pneumatic trainer teaches how those components fit into real-world applications.”

She says BSC enjoys regularly collaborates with Hess and other energy companies across the state. “Employers are engaged with curriculum development, providing internships, recommending equipment and technology, providing scholarships and job shadowing,”

“Throughout the year, students have opportunities to engage with potential employers through job fairs, mock interviews, question and answer sessions and more. Most importantly, they hire our students.” PB

Marnie Lahtinen Contributing writer MarnieLahtinen@gmail.com