Floorhand Training Offered in Braxton Co.

As West Virginia's energy industry continues to grow, oil and gas producers are aggressively seeking quality employees to meet the demand for entry-level workers in this field. This is why the Community & Technical College System of West Virginia has partnered with the West Virginia oil and gas industry to create the Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center.

The Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center, operated through Pierpont Community & Technical College of Fairmont State University, is located in Flatwoods, W.Va., at its newly constructed Braxton County facility. The Training Center is designed to meet the needs of both oil and gas producers and potential workers here in West Virginia, by connecting new workers with the industry and helping new and existing workers learn and maintain the skills they need to work safely.

"The first program that we have implemented for this industry is a Floorhand Training program," said Paul Schreffler, Pierpont C&TC's Director of Economic Development and Workforce Education. "Floorhands are people who work on the floor of a drilling platform. This position is typically the entry-level job and the first step in a career ladder in the oil and gas drilling industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the highest-paying blue-collar jobs in the country. Although working on a drilling rig is hard work outdoors in all type of weather, it provides an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking for a job with a higher wage and good benefits," he said.

The Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Training Center Floorhand Training Program is a five-day (40-hour) course, consisting of both classroom and hands-on learning. The Floorhand Training Program focuses on five key areas: rig safety, industry terms and definitions, proper use of basic tools and equipment, rough terrain lift truck training and operation.

Highly qualified and experienced instructors prepare students in an accredited curriculum that is recognized by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). Students completing this program receive an IADC Rig Pass certification, first aid and CPR training and hands-on training on a drilling rig simulator. Completion of an IADC Rig Pass accredited program confirms that personnel have met basic requirements defined by safety and training professionals in the drilling industry, irrespective of the rig location.

"This program is designed to be a conduit for increasing and strengthening the worker pool for the oil and gas industry, while linking those workers to jobs upon completion of the training. The ultimate goal is to fill the ever-increasing needs of the industry with a well-trained, quality workforce. This collaborative initiative works to combine two of West Virginia's most valuable assets -- our robust energy industry and a quality workforce that is second to none," Schreffler said.

The Floorhand Training program is offered on a regular weekly schedule. The course for inexperienced workers begins on Monday morning and ends on Friday afternoon. Classes are held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day except on Monday when trainees should arrive at 7 a.m. Candidates must be drug free. All candidates must pass a drug screening the morning of the first day of training.

A three-day, 24-hour training option is also being provided to experienced floorhand workers who are sponsored by their employers. The three-day experienced worker course runs from Monday through Wednesday.

The training program is located at Pierpont C&TC's Braxton County Center located at Braxton County High School in Flatwoods, W.Va. Lodging is conveniently located adjacent to the training facility. Single-occupancy lodging is available from Sunday evening through Thursday evening at a special rate for this program.

Financial assistance is available for those who meet income guidelines. For more information, call (304) 367-4920 or visit www.fairmontstate.edu/oilandgas