PetroTech program helps fuel new career
Geology tech says he's realizing his potential
PetroTech program helps fuel new career
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By Adam Wilmoth
Published: August 28, 2007
Don Webb didn't know what his dream job was just eight months ago, but he knew it wasn't working construction in the Oklahoma heat.
After receiving free training from the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, Webb for the first time in years is excited about going to work.
"I feel like I'm home,” he said of his new job as a geology technician at Oklahoma City-based Quest Resources Corp. "I've finally found my career. I did something that stretched me, and this is validating. This is my potential, and I'm realizing it now.”
Webb today will complete the OERB PetroTech Certification Program. A MasterTech, Webb will be certified as a geological, engineering and land technician in the oil and natural gas industry. The positions essentially are assistants to degreed geologists, petroleum engineers and land managers.
A single dad, Webb and his family adjusted their time and schedules to accommodate his training. But just eight months after enrolling in the PetroTech program, the sacrifice is paying off.
"There's a lot of stuff now that I'm able to do that I couldn't do before,” he said. "We're able to get my son in orchestra and rent the instrument. I'm able to take him to baseball games. My personal life has gotten a lot better from where I was just a few months ago.”
Webb didn't have to wait until graduation before landing a job. He completed the geology portion of the training earlier this summer and began work at Quest on Aug. 1.
"For an entry-level technician, he was very well prepared,” said Steve Hochstein, Quest's executive vice president for exploration and development. "He had a basic understanding of some of the technical tools involved, and his Windows Office skills were good. He had a good entry knowledge of the key software packages we use in oil and gas exploration.”
The PetroTech program helps local energy companies by providing new workers who have a basic understanding of the industry and tools necessary to help the industry grow, Hochstein said.
"It fills a vital need in the oil and gas community,” he said. "Engineering and geological technicians are at a premium now. There's a severe shortage of them. The work force in the oil and gas industry is spread pretty thin right now.”
Webb was one of the first participants in the PetroTech program. He and about 20 classmates will complete their training today. Another 160 people are in the program, with about 40 expected to complete the program over the next two months. About 240 more are on a waiting list to start the program throughout the end of this year and into January.
"When we first started out, we were trying to market to the general public, but we got such a huge response that we've stopped our marketing campaign,” OERB Executive Director Mindy Stitt said. "Just by word of mouth, we are getting quite a few more applicants.”
Most of the participants have had little or no previous experience in the oil and gas industry. A growing number of students joining the program in recent months have jobs in the industry, but want to move up or do something else, Stitt said. A few companies are sending some of their employees through the program.
People currently working in the energy industry can attend any of the program's 14 modules for $300 each. As long as the budget allows, OERB is taking care of 100 percent of the cost for people looking to move into the oil patch. Modules typically take one to three weeks to complete.
Students who complete eight modules can be certified in one of the three industry focuses. Students who complete all 14 modules are certified for all three areas of work.
MasterTechs can expect starting salaries of $25,000 to $30,000, often with quick opportunities for larger paychecks, Stitt said.
Classes generally are offered two nights a week. Some weekend classes also are available.
Courses are offered only at Oklahoma City's Francis Tuttle Technology center, but OERB is hoping to expand the program to Tulsa, Enid and other parts of the state.
"We wanted to go through the program a couple of times and work out the kinks,” Stitt said. "We've had a few minor changes so far, and we've talked about adding a couple of modules. Once we get it close to perfection, we'll offer it in another location.”
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Jack, I too was in the first class and finished tonight, we were the guinea pigs, they never had done anything like this before anywhere in the country, I applaud them on a job well done, they're getting the kinks worked out.
David, Oklahoma City - Aug 28, 2007 8:22 PM
• Report: Offensive language
I was part of the first class to go through the PetroTech program and I thought it was the most unorganized thing I'd ever been at part of. For Francis Tuttle to have been in business so many years with so many programs and the chaos that occured on a weekly basis, between unannounced schedule changes and program structure changes in the middle of a 'module' it was ridiculous. I truly feel the 'careertech' program as a whole needs some honest, critical oversight as were flushing millions of dollars in labor and opperating costs down a toilet.
Jack, Oklahoma City - Aug 28, 2007 2:10 PM
• Report: Offensive language
