This summer, Clarion University's Venango Campus will begin offering a natural gas technology program.
"Obviously the Marcellus Shale industry is emerging in Pennsylvania and beyond, and it is going to be requiring a huge workforce," said Christopher Reber, Executive Dean of Clarion University-Venango Campus. "There's already been a phenomenal investment in Pennsylvania."
Kyle Lindey, a Clarion student studying finance, was part of the two dozen people who listened to the presentation on the school's new natural gas technology program. Lindey said he's thinking about changing his degree and said natural gas could bring an economic boost to his area and surrounding communities.
"It's definitely a possibility. (I) want to get more information and talk to some companies that are drilling here and get some more information on jobs and everything," Lindey said.
The concentration is part of the school's Associate of Applied Science program. The 19 month program includes general education classes and 30 credit hours of hands-on learning, taught through a partnership with Precision Manufacturing Institute.
"Right now a lot of the jobs are being filled by people from out of Texas and Oklahoma, companies even coming this way," said Chuck Guiste, Excecutive Director of Precision Manufacturing Institute. "And we do have companies in this area to operate that, but they don't have the skilled persons that they need in order to do their operations."
Guiste and Reber said the idea of the partnership program is to give both traditional students and returning adults the books and hands-on training necessary, not only for entry level jobs, but supervisor and management roles in the industry.
Reber said some students may even decide to further their education and seek advanced degrees.
"This is an employment opportunity for the region. It's going to provide a new workforce opportunity, and certainly we're committed to promoting economic development for the whole area," Reber said.
