Pittsburgh Technical Institute focuses on shale-related job skills
The Pittsburgh Technical Institute's new, $3.5 million Energy Technology Center is part of a training pipeline to fill high-demand jobs in the Marcellus shale industry, officials said.
“We designed our curriculum specifically working with energy companies,” PTI spokeswoman Linda Allan said.
The center at the North Fayette campus houses welding technology, oil and gas electronics, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology programs.
Classes started on Oct. 15. Government officials including state Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, along with business leaders and others attended a grand opening on Thursday.
The center represents a partnership between PTI and companies, officials said.
About 20 companies, including Equipment & Controls Inc., donated $750,000 in equipment and software in three labs at the center.
“Our company and the entire shale gas industry need technicians that are trained in these technologies, and so to have PTI train these energy students on the specialized instruments will allow us to meet the industry needs,” said Jim Neville, vice president at Cecil-based Equipment & Controls.
A $750,000 state grant helped pay for the center's construction. PTI financed the rest using loans and equity, Allan said.
The center created labs for the oil and gas and welding programs, and allowed PTI's HVAC program to move from the Parkway West Career and Technology Center to PTI's nearby campus on McKee Road, Allan said.
Five years ago, PTI started working with energy companies to plan for jobs to meet the market's needs, PTI President Greg DeFeo said.
In 2012, the oil and gas program was introduced as a concentration within the electronics engineering technology program, in which graduates earn associate's degrees.
New Kensington resident Bryan Black, 21, said he's majoring in electronics engineering technology with a concentration in oil and gas.
“I found it really interesting. … It's highly automated,” he said.
Of 138 students enrolled in the electronics engineering technology program, about 58 percent are taking the oil and gas concentration. The welding program has 51 students, and an HVAC certificate program has 56 students.
Tory N. Parrish is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach her at 412-380-5662.
