The grant matched a $441,762 donation from 16 local oil and gas companies, which was largely in the form of equipment.
"We are really happy to get this Workforce Enhancement Grant," said Workforce Training Director Deanette Piesik.
Piesik said the programs may begin as early as the 2008 fall semester, as the grant money needs to be utilized by June 30, 2009.
The grant pays for curriculum development, instructor training and certification, student recruitment and equipment. The programs include "Introduction to Oil and Gas Operation for Office Personnel," "Safety Management and Rig up Training," "Lease Operator Program" and the "Derrickhand Program." "The oil and gas industry identified these four training programs as high priority because there is a lot of people retiring in those areas, and they need to fill those positions," said Piesik.
North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said the new equipment and expanded curriculum gives WSC the resources to train an additional 310 people over the next year.
"We are about aggressive economic development," said Hoeven, who added the new programs contribute to such development. "These programs matter."
The grant was provided by the North Dakota Department of Commerce Workforce Development Division and is part of a $2 million Workforce Enhance Grant program.
The 16 oil and gas companies that matched the dollar-for-dollar grant are Stallion, Crosby Group, Wisco, Eagle Well Services, Haliburton and Energy Services, Baker Oil Tools, High Plains, Schlumberger, Hess, McCody Concrete, Natco, Woodgroup, Crisco, Norris, Harbison and Fisher, and Marathon Oil.
"This is how it works, this is how you create the jobs of the future, this is how we keep building," Hoeven said of the collaborative effort to get the programs started.
"This is what we are going to continue to do to create more opportunity, more careers, higher-paying jobs and a higher standard of living for the people of North Dakota," said Hoeven.
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