CGSD, Chevron leading the way
Instructor Justin Golsky, right, talks to Waynesburg High School student Nick Fox about safety lanyards used in the gas and oil industry.
Students in the gas and oil class at Waynesburg Central receive safety equipment instruction. From left are Nick Fox, Cole Garrett, Logan Henderson, Bailey Brewer, Braden Boosel and MaKayla Henary.
WAYNESBURG – With an eye on training a local workforce for the oil and gas industry, Central Greene School District offered field-related classes at Waynesburg Central High School for several years.
Last spring, students enrolled in its natural resources program began studies for certification with Petroleum Energy Council, the equivalent of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification for the oil and gas industry.
Now, the district in partnership with Chevron Corp. was given an opportunity to take things further with the receipt of a $100,000 grant from Chevron.
The grant allows the district to expand the program as part of Chevron’s Appalachia Partnership Initiative, a $20 million commitment to developing workforce training and education programs across Southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio.
“We’re happy to have Chevron’s support and involvement on this important program that not only ensures our students are prepared to enter the energy industry, but also helps further their education,” said Annette Vietmeier, director of curriculum, instruction and technology for the district. “The new funding enables us to strengthen and enhance the current course by tailoring curriculum to help meet the needs of local industries.”
Vietmeier said the enhanced natural resources program opens doors for students to understand and be a part of the industry.
When PEC certification was added in April, instructor Justin Golsky said, there was talk of opening the natural resources program to adults in the evenings and on weekends.
Eight months later, thanks to the Chevron partnership, Vietmeier said talk is turning to action.
In the next two years, the program will be scaled to increase the “quality of, and access to, education and job training programs for students and adult learners in the region by offering classes in the evenings and/or weekends,” Vietmeier said. “This partnership is going to provide real-world experience.”
More than 100 students completed the natural resources course work since its development with the help of Golsky, who began working in the industry right out of high school.
Vietmeier said Golsky is responsible for the program being offered in the district. It was he who initially approached Vietmeier and former superintendent Jerome Bartley to ask what was being done to facilitate students entering the natural gas industry.
The enhanced program will give both classroom and field experience to students with exposure to the geological aspects of the natural gas and energy industry, in addition to offering a variety of career-related opportunities.
Well-logging, structural traps, environmental regulations and issues and the economics of the industry will be covered in the first semester of the program. The second semester will provide students with hands-on learning, teaching them about equipment safety, oxygen and acetylene torch training and welding.
To enhance Golsky’s teaching, Chevron provided him with an opportunity to further his own training with a Certified Operator for Rotating Equipment certification that provides a comprehensive knowledge of gas and oil plant operations.
“We always look for that partner that puts out their hand and is a true partner. Chevron has been that partner, going the extra mile in providing us with personnel and looking over our curriculum,” Vietmeier said, adding, “They told us not to change a thing.”
As an additional benefit of the partnership, Chevron offered to cover certification test fees for students who cannot afford to pay them, Vietmeier said. The corporation’s contributions to educational opportunities in the gas and oil industry in the district are not intended as an enticement or guarantee for students to work with the corporation.
“At Chevron, we know that many important jobs of today and tomorrow are built on ongoing learning and require a certain level of skills and training not always accessible to most. The natural resources program at Waynesburg Central High School is a great example of investing in the future workforce and in our communities,” said Trip Oliver, manager of policy, government and public affairs for Chevron Appalachia.
“It is through programs like this that we can continue to develop an educated and skilled workforce because we know those two components lead to economic growth for our business, our partners and the communities throughout the tri-state region,” he said.
Vietmeier said Chevron’s support is intended “to offer students in and outside of our district an opportunity for Safeland (training) and other certifications. With Chevron at the table every month we’re getting there. We’re developing careers and educating students. It’s what we’re here for.”