$650K ARC workforce grant will train dislocated miners
Washington Greene County Job Training Agency Inc. was awarded a $653,400 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help area displaced coal miners to train for jobs in the natural gas industry.
According to a news release from WGCJTA, the grant will fund the program “Transitioning from Black to Blue: Training Former Coal Workers for Natural Gas Utility and Pipeline Careers in Appalachia.”
The program will be created and implemented in conjunction with Gas Technology Institute, a leading research, development and training organization that has been the natural gas education leader for 75 years.
The ARC award will provide a targeted retraining program for displaced coal workers that enables them to pursue local employment in the natural gas utility and pipeline industry. The training courses will be offered at three regional education institutions – Butler County Community College, Westmoreland County Community College and Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio. According to the news release, the curriculum developed by GTI ensures that participants’ knowledge and skill development is industry-standard and best positions them to find stable employment in an expedited manner.
The project will primarily serve a 23-county area in southeast Ohio and Southwest Pennsylvania, and will train 100 individuals.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our workforce development area and surrounding region to offer high-quality training to dislocated coal miners in order to transition from the mines to the natural gas industry,” said Ami Gatts, President/CFO of WGCJTA Inc.
“With many of our local miners looking for training and employment, I feel this program can provide that opportunity.”
Patrick Findle, senior program manager at GTI said the program can provide training specific to energy demands in the area.
“This program will enhance the regional jobs picture by providing targeted training that will meet the workforce needs of the utility and pipeline industry while providing the students with tangible skills that are in high demand,” he said. “The long-term strategy is to extend the program in both the number of students trained and areas served.”
“Assisting our coal-impacted communities presents significant opportunities for community revitalization and economic advancement,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin. “The Wolf Administration appreciates the Appalachian Regional Commission’s support of these efforts in Pennsylvania. We anticipate continued progress as the recently awarded POWER grants are implemented and applaud WGCJTA for its efforts.”
Program development will begin in March and training is anticipated to begin in summer/fall. Program updates and information can be found at www.washingtongreene.org or by contacting Patrick Findle, program manager at patrick.findle@gastechnology.org; 412-577-8350.