FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A West Virginia community college and 4-year institution will work together to prepare graduates for lucrative, long lasting jobs in the oil and gas industry in the state.
According to Stephen Santilli, marketing spokesperson for Pierpont Community & Technical College, an articulation agreement was signed Friday, Jan. 23 between Pierpont and Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi.
At Pierpont, students can already earn a 2-year applied sciences degree in petroleum technology.
ABU is developing a 4-year bachelor’s of science program in petroleum management.
ABU explained the curriculum in a relase stating:
“The petroleum technology program at Pierpont Community & Technical College includes 60 credits of study; 15 credits in general education courses and 45 credits specific to the petroleum industry. Alderson Broaddus will accept the credits from Pierpont Community & Technical College, and provide additional 61-64 credits of study to round out the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum management.”
Students who graduate from the Pierpont program can transfer credits, without issue, directly to the ABU program to finish their degrees.
“The articulation agreement that was signed today between Alderson Broaddus University and Pierpont Community & Technical College makes our petroleum technology graduates even more employable in the extraction industry,” said Santilli.
According to Santilli, enrollment in the 2 year program is exploding; and students who graduate begin jobs immediately with drilling and preparation companies across the state.
“Our petroleum technology students are graduation and starting literally the Monday after they graduate,” he said.
Average salaries for students with the 2 year degree are between $35,000 and $60,000. Students with a 4 year degree and a few years of experience can earn up to six figures said Santilli.
“They don’t need to leave the state of West Virginia. They can stay here with good employment and a great education. It also will reduce the amount of folks coming from other states into the state of West Virginia to do these jobs,” said Santilli.
Tuition at Alderson Broaddus University and Pierpont is significantly different. Santilli said ABU is working on financial aid packages for interested students.
According to ABU officials, the program will launch there in the fall of 2015.