North Dakota Governor Hoeven Dedicates New Petroleum Safety and Technology Center in Williston

June 4, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven was in Williston today to dedicate the new Williston State College (WSC) Petroleum Safety and Technology Center. The center was started with funding from the state's Centers of Excellence initiative, with an emphasis on creating economic and employment opportunities in the state's oil and gas industry.

Hoeven was joined by Williston Mayor Ward Koeser, WSC President Dr. Raymond Nadolny, WSC Train ND Executive Director Deanette Piesik, North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle, North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness and Wayne Biberdorf, manager of strategic projects for Hess Corporation.

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The 7,500 square foot building includes four classrooms, three offices and two high bays, and houses the Floorhand for Well Servicing, Commercial Drivers License, Introduction to Oil and Gas Operations, SMART (Safety, Management and Rig Up Training) and fire training programs. The $810,000 facility was funded with state dollars, with an additional $1 million in state funds provided for workforce training programs and operating costs. In October 2008, Hoeven presented WSC with a $441,762 Workforce Enhancement Grant to expand the college's oil and gas industry training programs.

"North Dakota's oil and gas industry is helping develop an important resource for our nation and creating a lot of good, high-paying jobs in our state," said Hoeven. "The new Petroleum Safety and Technology Center is on the front lines of this growing industry, and by partnering with private-sector companies, it is helping to train a workforce skilled and ready to meet the technical demands of oil and gas operations."

Sixty companies representing the state's oil and gas industry have contributed to the development of the center and the implementation of the training programs by donating resources, equipment and funding. The state's investment in the workforce training programs has been matched dollar-for-dollar by private-sector companies who have helped drive the completion of the center and the design of the curriculum. A Petroleum Safety and Technology Center Industry Advisory Board, which includes industry, college and community representatives, oversees the planning and operation of the center.

"The purpose of the Petroleum Safety and Technology Center is to provide the oil and gas industry with a trained and skilled workforce," said Deanette Piesik, WSC Train ND executive director. "This program will allow the college to deliver additional technical training programs for the industry. Ultimately, the impact is additional employees in the region, a skilled workforce for the oil and gas industry and economic growth for North Dakota."

Since July 2008, more than 5,500 individuals representing 370 companies have participated in WSC's oil and gas training programs. Within the next 2-3 years, the center is planning to offer more programs, including Lease Operator, Derrickhand Training, Crane Training, Well Control School and others.

Source: North Dakota Governor