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Energy students visit Belmont College

CONNORVILLE — Students in the Ohio Valley Energy Technology Academy learned about one educational opportunity to gain advancement in the energy field.

About 25 pupils joined instructors Anthony Barsch and Kevin McCain at Belmont College on Feb. 8, when they learned about the college’s offerings, as well as a new online program that could help them gain a bachelor’s degree through Franklin University in Columbus.

“We went over the various programs they have for automated computer systems, welding certifications and the degree program,” said McCain.

Beverly Smith, program chair of the energy management department at Franklin University, discussed how students may obtain a bachelor’s degree after completing their associate studies at Belmont.

“If they do two years at Belmont College and transition to Franklin University, they can receive a bachelor’s degree in energy management, and Franklin is 100 percent online,” McCain added. “She explained it was a broad-based degree because the industry itself is broad based.”

He noted an HVAC program is available that includes older, current and more modernized equipment so graduates can be fully prepared and familiar with the mechanisms when they head out into the work force.

Other talks included the proposed ethane cracker plant in Belmont County and the variety of opportunities to work in the oil and gas industry and other fields.

“We’ve got kids, especially younger kids, who think they might want to the do the program. You would do it in two years and have opportunities in welding, automated computer systems and HVAC. There will be new job opportunities.”

OVETA has partnered with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 83 of Wheeling, which led to a recent tour of the union’s facility and a visit by union President Eric O’Donnell with a virtual welder. Students got to test the item.

“He explained welding, the union’s outlook and the need for welders, pipefitters and other tradesmen,” McCain said, noting O’Donnell donated some welding supplies to the OVETA program.

Further plans are to host Eric Spirtas, president of Niagara Worldwide, the development firm involved with the transition of the former Ormet Aluminum facility in Hannibal into a useable site for the oil and gas industry. Spirtas intends to speak to the class sometime in March about how his group seeks facilities to rehabilitate for the growing energy field.

Another field trip is planned to the Job and Construction Expo at WesBanco Arena late next month.

OVETA, which is in its second year of operation, includes 42 students and provides blended learning to prepare its graduates for continued education in related fields or to directly enter the work force. Leaders also plan to offer heavy equipment training as well as OSHA 10, OSHA 30, SafeLandUSA and rig pass certification through the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program.

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