Natural Gas Utility and Pipeline Field Skills Training Program

Your Pipeline to a Career in Natural Gas

From Black to Blue: helping displaced coal workers and others in the Appalachian region transition to a career in the natural gas industry.

Tuition-Free Training Opportunity

A new, targeted “From Black to Blue” training program for displaced coal workers and others in the Appalachian region will introduce participants to natural gas utility and pipeline operations careers and enable them to become stronger candidates for jobs.

The pre-employment training program includes four weeks of blended classroom and hands-on training that provides a basic understanding and awareness of natural gas, the natural gas utility and pipeline industry, associated equipment, procedures, and operations. It will enable students to pursue local employment in the natural gas industry, where pipeline operations crews will be in great demand as the workforce experiences significant retirements while pipeline upgrade and build-out activities will continue at a high level.

Thanks to funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the cost of tuition will be covered for eligible students in southwestern Pennsylvania and southeastern Ohio. Though the training is targeted at displaced coal workers, veterans, high school graduates, and other displaced workers in the Appalachian region are able to take advantage of the opportunity. Washington Greene County Job Training Agency, Inc. is the grant recipient and is the fiscal agent for the initiative.

The Natural Gas Utility and Pipeline Field Skills Training Program curriculum was developed by GTI—a leading research, development and training organization addressing global energy challenges—with input from natural gas industry partners. The current training sessions will be hosted at the Armstrong County Industrial Development Council in Freeport, PA and Belmont College in St. Clairsville, OH.

Regional utilities, midstream, contractors, and pipeline operations companies currently have open positions at their companies. Industry activity replacing old lines and building out new pipelines is very robust and workforce is in demand. Starting salaries can exceed $50,000 depending on skills, and the career path can lead to six-figure compensation.

The last day of the class includes a graduation celebration and job fair with potential employers.

To be considered for the program please fill out the online application form.