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SCTC News
Please click on the headlines below to expand and see the associated story. + SCTC to Provide Marcellus Shale Industry Training | Technology center to provide training for Marcellus Shale industry PHILIP PETRUNAK
Daily American Staff Writer
SOMERSET—Workers eyeing a career in the Marcellus Shale industry need look no further than the Somerset County Technology Center. The technology center has been added to a short list of certified training providers for the natural gas industry. The center is one of 10 institutions across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania approved for the ShaleNET grant program.
ShaleNET is a federal grant program aimed at recruitment, training, placement and retention in the Marcellus Shale industry. The program was designed to provide the gas industry with a well-trained local work force, according to www.shalenet.org.
Individuals who qualify for the program receive free training and job placement.
Tom Wojcicki, adult education coordinator for the Somerset County Technology Center, described the ShaleNET grant as a tremendous opportunity for those interested in the field.
"We're talking about a chance at very good, high-paying jobs," Wojcicki said. "The industry has a huge demand for workers and the drilling companies are investing in the work force."
An estimated 18,000 to 30,000 workers are needed to keep pace with the growth of the industry in Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2014, according to a Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center survey. The positions in highest demand include derrick operator, rotary drill operator, service unit operator, roustabout, welder/brazer and commercially licensed driver.
Wojcicki said the Somerset County Technology Center will offer training specific to one of the occupations listed above. While a final decision has not yet been made, Wojcicki said the center will most likely specialize in CDL training. The technology center has provided CDL training for the past 20 years and has trained more than 500 truck drivers.
Wojcicki said the technology center hopes to begin the adult training program in the spring. The center is working with CareerLink and the school's work force investment board to identify potential trainees. Wojcicki expects the class size to range from 12 to 18 students.
Wojcicki said many Marcellus Shale industry positions begin at a wage of $20 per hour. ShaleNET training graduates could make more than $70,000 within the first year, he added.
"They're not easy jobs and the industry is very demanding," Wojcicki said. "But it's a tremendous opportunity."
Individuals interested in the program can contact Wojcicki at 814-443-3651, ext. 6156.
Prospective trainees will be subject to a screening process that includes educational testing, drug testing and some physical testing. If chosen, trainees will qualify for a voucher through the ShaleNET grant, waiving tuition fees associated with the training program.
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| + SCTC Instructors Take "Pies in the Face" for Charity Every December the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club raises money for a local charitable organization. This year students held a coin war with their instructors and paraprofessionals to try to win a chance to throw whipped cream pies in their faces, that is, the class that collected the highest total in coins got to throw "pies" at their instructor/paraprofessional. The morning winners were the Cosmetology class, and the afternoon winners were the Automotive Technology class. Mrs. Gaudlip (Cosmetology Instructor), Ms. Petro (Cosmetology Paraprofessional) and Mr. Holtz (Automotive Technology Instructor) were good sports, and SADD appreciates their help. Through this event the SADD club raised over $175 which was used to purchase Giant Eagle gift cards for four needy families.
Click on the image to view our slideshow -> |  | + National Guard Patriot Cycle Visits SCTC Students at the Somerset County Technology Center recently had the opportunity to see the “Patriot Chopper,” a custom-built Orange County Choppers (OCC) bike. The bike was set up in the Automotive Technology Program area at the school and was visited throughout the day by students from all the Program areas.
The bike was built by the OCC with the help of 4 Army National Guardsmen bringing in different aspects of the design. It is red, white and blue in color with Army Combat Uniform pattern throughout the design. The top of the bike has a list of all the conflicts and wars the National Guard has ever been involved in. Other designed parts include a minuteman air cleaner, 3-D inlaid spearheads on the blade spokes of the wheels, chrome M-4 magazines for the struts, and an M-4 rifle mounted on the side of the rear wheel.
The bike was the first of three bikes commissioned to be built by the National Guard from the OCC. The purpose is twofold: to help in the recruiting process and to inform people about bike safety. The OCC has a history of building patriotic themed bikes including multiple for several different branches of the military. They gained their renown at the Daytona Biketoberfest when they built and introduced their first themed bike “True Blue” in 1999.
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Cosmetology Students take their turn viewing the “Patriot Chopper” at the Somerset County Technology Center. The bike was sponsored by the National Guard and provided students at the school an opportunity to see the result of collaborative efforts of the military and industry.
| News Archive
Please click on the headlines below to expand and see the associated story. + SCTC Students Receive Awards from The Challenge Program On Friday, September 23, The Challenge Program, Inc., a regional non-profit organization designed to provide high school students with incentives for success, kicked off the program for this year at the Somerset County Technology Center.
The program partners with local businesses to motivate high school students to excel, both in and out of the classroom. This partnership creates good habits in students and provides businesses with tangible results for their investments.
Twelve students in the sophomore, junior, and senior classes who excel in the areas of Attendance, Academic Excellence, Academic Improvement, and Community Service will receive an award in the amount of $250 for their efforts. The total amount of awards in each school totals $3,000. |  | The eight underclassmen students who excelled in The Challenge Program’s categories during the 2010-2011 school-year were presented with their awards during the assembly; see pictures at right. Seniors received their awards this past spring.
This year’s orientation assembly incorporated a “Minute to Win It” theme. Student volunteers were challenged in four game challenges, which focused on each of the program’s four award categories. Mary Dreliszak, Director of Program Development for The Challenge Program, Inc. remarked, “One of the great things about The Challenge Program is that students don’t need to sign up to participate. The schools are tracking their performance, so they’re already in it. Now it’s up to the students to decide if they’re in it to win it.”
Riggs Industries is the sponsor of The Challenge Program, Inc. at the Somerset County Technology Center. Shawn Kaufman, Human Resources Director, was on hand to distribute the awards and to address the students. |  | Since 2003 through the generous support of businesses, foundations, and individuals, The Challenge Program, Inc. has been introduced to more than 270,000 students and checks totaling $1.7 million have been presented to over 5,000 high school students.
For additional information, contact either Mary Dreliszak, Director of Program Development at 724.984.0860 or Barbara Grandinetti, Executive Director of The Challenge Program, Inc. at 814.533.7403.
The Challenge Program, Inc. was developed by Dan Perkins, President and CEO of MTS Technologies and is designed to provide students with incentives for success. |  | + SCTC Hosts LPN Job Fair and Graduation Ceremony - July 2011 | SCTC hosted a nursing job fair on July 15th for the graduating LPN class. Numerous employers participated to conduct on-site interviews and meet with the LPN graduates. | 
| | On the evening of July 22nd, SCTC held graduation ceremonies for the 2011 LPN class. Twenty-one students successfully completed the LPN program. |  | 
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