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Home : Energy Development : Energy Education/Workforce Training
Energy Education/Workforce Training
A robust energy education and workforce training program is a critical component of North Dakota's expanding energy industry. Workers are needed not only for the new jobs being created by energy development, but also to replace the many existing industry workers who are at or nearing retirement age. North Dakota energy companies long ago recognized the need to provide energy education programs for prospective employees and for teaching new skills to existing workers. They have worked closely with Bismarck State College's National Energy Center of Excellence programs and with other state institutions to develop and continually update energy education and training offerings. In May of 2007, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman officially designated BSC as the National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center. BSC's office of Continuing Education, Training and Innovation also provides numerous workforce training opportunities and is actively engaged in energy and other conference planning.
In recent years, a wind energy technician program has been developed and is now offered at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake. Minot State University offers an energy economics degree and Williston State College provides safety training to the petroleum industry. U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan secured funding for a Western North Dakota Workforce Training Collaborative that has two distinct elements: a series of symposiums on energy workforce issues to be held at Dickinson and Minot State Universities; and a sharing of technical training programs between Williston State College and Bismarck State College.
The Workforce Development Division of the ND Dept. of Commerce and Job Service North Dakota provide funding and technical assistance for a number of workforce training programs throughout the state. In addition, the ND legislature provides funding through the ND Department of Career and Technical Education for four regional workforce training programs, covering all of North Dakota.
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