An area technical school is opening a new building meant to train students in order to meet the workforce needs of the region’s fastest growing industry — energy.
Pittsburgh Technical Institute is hosting a grand opening of their Energy Technology Center Nov. 7. The center features two general-purpose classrooms as well as three new labs outfitted for training in welding, HVAC, and oil and gas electronics.
“The unique cornerstone of the building is a state of the industry oil and gas lab and what this lab is designed to prepare students for is to work as electronics field technicians specifically trained on equipment that’s used in the oil and gas industry,” said PTI President Greg DeFeo.
According to DeFeo, this lab is the first of it’s kind in the region and was designed with input from professionals in the energy production industry.
“With over 30 majors here we run the range from computer aided drafting, to information technology, to nursing," he said. "These programs and the opening of this center really just expand on our capabilities to prepare a workforce for the largest growing industry in our region.”
Earlier this year, PTI announced a new concentration in oil and gas electronics for their Electronics Engineering Technology associate degree program. The new lab is designed with equipment that is specifically tailored to this industry.
“It’s definitely a landmark for us as far as getting into the energy industry with degree programs and certificate programs that are unique, and satisfying what’s needed out there in the job market,” said Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Jeff Belsky.
The technology center was funded by a $750,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, as well as an additional $750,000 from technological companies in the region.
