New courses to train high schoolers for oil and gas career

Posted: Jul 26, 2012 11:37 AM by Melissa Canone

LAFAYETTE - Two new courses offered by South Louisiana Community College are preparing students for profitable, long term careers in the oil and gas industry.

Beginning this fall, high school and community college students can enroll in a basic production course. Students will learn about wells, wellheads, rate control, flowlines, headers and process equipment.

After successfully completing the prerequisite Basic Production course, students can then earn an Industry Base Certification by completing the second course in the sequence, Production Safety Systems (T-2) course. This Production Safety Systems (T-2) course is recognized internationally and approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

"The continuous demand for qualified individuals to support the oil and gas industry dictates the need for a preparatory program to smoothly transition high school students into these careers," said Paul Bourgeois, SLCC College and Career Transition coordinator.

This initiative has been a year-long process that involved seven school systems within Acadiana, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, BESE Board and the Louisiana Department of Education.

Most recently, 10 teachers and instructors were certified to teach these courses by training professionals J. Schneider & Associates. They include William Regard, Iberia Parish Career Campus; Dena Landry, SLCC Teche Area campus; Lane Gunnels, SLCC T.H. Harris campus; Robert Gooch, SLCC Gulf Area campus; Johnny Leday, St. Martinville Senior High School; and Tommy Hollier, Washington Career and Technical High School. Each will teach courses at their campuses.
"All participants worked very diligently to absorb the information offered. Offering these courses to high school seniors and community college students should be a great help to all involved. We are very excited about this venture and look forward to working with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System well into the future," said Ron Johnson, vice president for J. Schneider & Associates.

High school or community college student interested in taking these courses should contact their high school counselor or local SLCC campus.