WSC Job Training Grant | Video

Chris Williams | 10/10/2012

Williston State College has received two grants in the same week, totaling nearly three million dollars. One of those grants will be used to expand training opportunities for people going to work in the oil field.

One problem companies in the oil field keep having is a lack of trained people applying for jobs, but this grant is meant to remedy that problem.

"We have funding in there for, it says diesel technology. Basically we`re talking about something to do with large equipment," said Williston State College Provost Wanda Meyer.

The college will offer a CDL simulator course. One trucking company said about 40 percent of people who come in for a job don`t have the right license.

"It just wouldn`t help our company it would help the entire oil field. That way they are getting the training, and the backing and everything else they will need to get into the oil fields," said Truck Manager for Pat`s Off Road, Jeff Mennicken.

With truck drivers training in the Bakken, they will get a better feel for the roads.

"Less accidents. Less accidents, drivers that have been trained correctly that watch out for other drivers. Safety, 100 percent safety," Mennicken added.

Companies in the oil patch like to hire people with previous experience, but you can`t get experience if you don`t have the proper training.

"Reading and having in class training is part of your overall training. The real learning happens when you`re in the field using the equipment, that`s where you get the experience," said Williston Branch Manager of Hexco James Bervig.

Not everything in western North Dakota involves drilling for oil, so the college administrators will use part of the grant money to set up another program.

"The business aspect. The reason we did that is there are a lot of companies springing up all over the place, and we need to be able to make sure that the office personal we have in there are able to do what they`re supposed to be doing in that office," Meyer added.

The grant money will be used to re-train people who have lost a job and now need new skills for another one.

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