Teaching Teachers On Petroleum: NDPC Kicks Off 2018 Teacher Education Seminar
BISMARCK, N.D. – Fifty teachers from across the state will be in Bismarck next week to learn more about North Dakota’s petroleum industry, a topic that has captured the attention of leaders, reporters and others around the world. The seminar kicks off on Monday, June 18 with lessons in geology, drilling, and completion technologies. Teachers will also participate in several hands-on activities they can take back to the classroom, including mixing their own frac fluid, building a power plant and more.
Teachers will also learn more about the regulatory process from BLM and state agency representatives. The seminar also includes a up-close look at a refinery, drilling rig, production site, reclaimed site and other equipment in North Dakota’s oilfields.
“Oil and gas development is a complex technological process that requires compliance with hundreds of regulations to ensure the safety of the environment and the workers,” said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. “Getting teachers out onsite to see first-hand how industry works to maintain a clean and safe work environment is the best way to show how seriously these companies take their responsibilities.”
In addition to taking home more information about the industry, teachers will also gain some insight into the education and skills needed for many of the industry jobs and careers. As activity picks up, skilled workers are needed more than ever, especially as many long-term employees reach retirement age. According to a study conducted by IHS, there will be 1.9 million direct job opportunities in the oil and natural gas and petrochemical industries through 2035. More than half of these jobs are projected to be filled by minorities and women.
“The oil and gas industry continues to support more than 60,000 jobs in the state and hundreds of thousands more across the nation,” said Ness. “These opportunities will continue for decades, and will require a workforce ranging from those trained in the skilled trades to engineers.”
According to the study, women will share in the growth of more skilled white-collar jobs in the industry. A panel focusing on women in the industry will be held Tuesday, June 19.
The seminar will be held June 18-21 in the Bavendick State Room on the Bismarck State College campus. See the attached agenda for more details on the speakers and topics that will be featured at the seminar. To get a glimpse into the teacher seminar, click here.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council has been hosting the seminar for more than 30 years. It is a great opportunity for educators to learn about the industry and allows them to bring what they learn into their classrooms. For more information about the seminar or to learn if there is a teacher from your community that you would like to interview or feature, contact Tessa Sandstrom at 701.557.7744 or tsandstrom@ndoil.org.
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About the North Dakota Petroleum Council
Since 1952, the Petroleum Council has been the primary voice of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota. The Petroleum Council represents more than 450 companies involved in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including oil and gas production, refining, pipeline, mineral leasing, consulting, legal work, and oil field service activities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Rocky Mountain Region. For more information, go to www.ndoil.org.