Contributed DEMONSTRATION — Cathy Cremeans and Holly Williams of MPLX look on as sophomores Wyatt Dickson, Kyrn Thorn and Tyler Howard showcase their skills with a Festo hydraulic simulator during Career Day at Utica Shale Academy on April 30.

SALINEVILLE — Students learned all about workforce opportunities after meeting with oil and gas industry representatives during Career Day at the Utica Shale Academy.

The inaugural event kicked off April 30 with 60 students in grades 10-12 and officials from a half-dozen companies, including the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA), Ohio Natural Energy Institute (ONEi), American Petroleum Institute (API) Ohio, MPLX, Dominion/Enbridge Inc., Williams Energy and Ascent Resources, participating in a three-part event. It began with a student showcase where teens shared their skills at the Energy Training Center and outdoor welding lab, followed by company representatives leading career day presentations and mock interviews at the Williams Collaboration Center.

USA Transition Specialist Ashley Canann said the purpose of Career Day was for the participants to engage and the students to know what was needed in the workforce.

“The students showed their skills in industrial maintenance and welding to show the businesses what we do at Utica Shale Academy,” Canann added. “They rotated between the oil and gas organizations and officials talked about what the company does and their jobs. In the end, the juniors and seniors participated in mock interviews to see what the companies are looking for to prepare for finding a job, the soft and technical skills needed for a job and to bridge the gap between high school and transitioning into a job. This is our first event and we hope to make this a tradition.”

Company officials said events such as Career Day were a great way to seek out potential employees and fill growing voids in the workforce.

“Soft skills are really important to have and having the work ethic and drive to do and learn,” said Lenny Vonfeldt, maintenance supervisor for Williams Energy. “We really see a gap with instrumentation and electricians because we’re seeing a lot of retirements. I think this is a great program. We need to find a way for the kids to know the opportunities available to them and to see what it’s like.”

“The biggest thing I see is instrumentation and controls; those roles are the hardest to fill,” said Matt Bryan, operations LPN for Williams. “Every piece is important but these pieces are particularly important.”

Bryan said he grew up near the Kensington Plant and opted to go to college, but knowing there was a facility such as USA available helps prepare students for their future was fantastic.

“College is great for some and I am a huge supporter of people who work with their hands in the trades. People have an opportunity to remain where they grew up and give back to the community.”

Cathy Cremeans, lab manager for MPLX, said students gain knowledge they can carry throughout their future.

“I think it definitely helps fill the gap and you can see the drive they have. They are learning skills, and whether they use them as a career or not, they still learn life skills and not just career-based skills,” Cremeans said.

“It’s such a good experience for kids to learn this and have a hands-on experience,” added Holly Williams, senior administrative assistant for MPLX. “There are jobs in pipeline and compression or maintenance and hydraulics and mechanical skills are utilized.”

OOGA Director of External Affairs Mike Chadsey cited a need for more welders and commercial drivers and roles from the refineries to the pipeline.

“I think it’s important to be drug-free and show up on time,” added Chadsey. “We can teach the soft skills, but you need to be able to show up. We’re trying to show students what is expected and how they can turn a job into a career.”

He continued that OOGA has worked with USA for at least a decade and it has been a great partnership.

“With our association and our member companies participating and watching this program grow, it’s been impressive. They’ve been very responsive [at USA] to evolving to meet the needs of the industry.”

Students with interest in the industry said they were learning a lot during the event.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for kids,” said sophomore Adyn Conley, adding that he hoped to work in the field one day.

“I like how they came to show what they expect of you and the basic requirements and information,” said senior Connor Smith, who noted that he hoped to use his welding training in the industry.

USA Superintendent Bill Watson concurred that Career Day exposed students to potential career paths and companies to what the community school can do to fill the workforce.

“It really gives us the ability to tailor what we’re doing to what the industry needs and our goal is to train the kids to be employable,” Watson concluded. “The students put the ‘why’ towards their training and it allows them to take ownership of their career.”