| B I S M A R C K S T A T E C O L L E G E |
|
NECE to Host Fourth Annual Open House
BSC will be hosting its annual Open House for those interested in pursuing a career in energy at the National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) building on the BSC campus on Tuesday, May 4 from 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Industry representatives from companies such as Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU), Blue Flint Ethanol and Tesoro Corporation will be available to answer questions on the job outlook for the energy industry, requirements for hiring, and briefings on the work employees do at the facilities.
During the open house, NECE faculty and advisors also will be available to discuss program requirements, classes and additional information pertaining to enrolling in an energy program. Additionally, Admissions and Financial Aid representatives will be available to discuss admission requirements as well as information on student loans, grants and scholarships. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to an attendee as well as an iPod and NECE souvenirs.
Companies across the country are looking for graduates from BSC programs to fill their workforce openings. Take advantage of these excellent training options and find your beyond in the energy industry!
Click here for more information and to pre-register.
Contact us with questions at Joan.Kleven@bsc.nodak.edu or 701.224.5651. |
BSC Students Preview Careers at Synfuels Plant
by Joan Dietz, Basin Electric Communications Specialist
Bismarck State College's (BSC) online education program has afforded many people the chance to earn an education and better themselves over the years. One of the programs offered - the online process and power plant degree program - works closely with industry partners, like Dakota Gasification Company, to best prepare students for careers once they graduate. This year, Dakota Gas expanded its involvement in BSC's Competency Program and brought more students than ever to the Great Plains Synfuels Plant.
Bruce Weightman, Synfuels Plant shift superintendent, works closely with the program by mentoring students at the end of the curriculum. "I got involved with the program in 2004 when we were asked if students could come to the plant to complete their job shadowing requirements," Weightman says. "Since 2004, we've mentored about 30 students and have seen the numbers increase by two-fold in the past year."
The fall 2009 semester brought eight students to the Synfuels Plant, more than Weightman could handle himself. "With the increased numbers, I looked for help from the other shift superintendents," Weightman says. He found that help in Troy Borud, Claude O'Berry and Wayne Dedekam.
BSC designed the Competency Program to provide students with job-related training and hands-on experience in preparation for a career as a process technician/operator. Students are required to spend 80 hours at the plant, which allows for about 12 hours per unit. "The time spent in the units allows interaction with our operators and supervisors, as well as time spent viewing actual equipment," Weightman says. "We feel this is much better than the computer graphic version of the equipment they see during class."
Weightman says he spends about three hours with each student and then turns them over to begin their area-by-area job shadowing. The process operation technicians and supervisors mentor the students on their specific area equipment. As they progress through the areas, the technicians and supervisors complete the competency workbook with the student.
As the program has evolved, Weightman has not only hosted job shadowing at the Synfuels Plant, but has also rewritten the competency workbook to better fit the students' experience at the plant. Weightman designed the workbook to cover each specific unit in order at the Synfuels Plant and providing a road map and check-off sheet for each activity.
When the students complete the competency workbook, Weightman reviews it with each student, allowing them to ask questions. Weightman, the operations technicians and supervisors are also allowed to evaluate the student. "The process gives us a good sense of whether this student would make a good employee and fit at the fuels Plant," Weightman says.
It is a win for both the student and the Synfuels Plant. "We can see if the student is attentive and interested in our facility, and the student can see first-hand what it is like to work at a full-scale process plant," Weightman says. "Over the years, we've had such positive results that students are requesting to be assigned to the Synfuels Plant."
Weightman enjoys working with the program and likes to see the reaction students express when first seeing the pipes, equipment, pumps, turbines and other equipment. "There is always a 'Wow I didn't know this was so big' comment," Weightman says. Even employees' children who have participated in the program say they never realized the scope of work at the Synfuels Plant, he says.
"I like to share with these students the opportunity that awaits them in the energy industry. Whether it is here or someplace else, this experience gives the student a real-time look at what running a plant takes. They may not remember everything they see and learn while they are at the Synfuels Plant, but in the end, the knowledge they gain will benefit them in the working world."
Republished from Basin Electric's Basin Today Magazine - January-February 2010 issue. |
Student Success Story - Carissa Riehl
Growing up in Bismarck, Carissa Riehl was familiar with Bismarck State College, a fixture in her neighborhood. Having friends and family who graduated from BSC, Riehl knew she was going to the right college from the start. After earning an internship opportunity at Great River Energy's Coal Creek Station during her enrollment at BSC, Riehl changed paths to complete her degree online to provide her with the flexibility she needed.
"BSC gave me the opportunity to get where I wanted to be. The program gave me a great start in the field and opened up the doors to my internship. BSC's connection with so many plants definitely helps when trying to find a job," Riehl said.
When asked about what she liked best about BSC, Riehl said, "I loved the fact that all of the teachers were great examples of what we were striving to be. They have all worked out in the field and were able to explain to us what we will be doing. It is easy from people who have first-hand experience. The teachers were great and with all of our lab equipment we really got a hands-on learning experience."
Riehl recently took a job as an Auxiliary Operator at Coal Creek and when asked what her recommendations are for those considering a career in the industry, she said, "Talk to people who are working in the industry. Look at the different options. There are so many great jobs that I think most people would actually be surprised at the different things you can do with a degree from BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence."
Congratulations, Carissa! | |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Navy Education Fairs:
Jacksonville - April 13
Kings Bay - April 14
Mayport - April 15
Charleston - April 23
Little Creek - April 26
Dam Neck - April 27
Oceana - April 28
Porstmouth - April 29
Norfolk - April 30
Pearl Harbor - April 30
Stop by the BSC table to learn more about our energy education programs!
MISO (PSO) Short Course
April 20, 2010
Minneapolis, MN
NECE providing
4 NERC CEHs in training session!
Lignite Energy Council Contractor/Supplier Meeting
April 20, 2010
Bismarck, ND
Stop by the BSC booth!
WUMS APDA Meeting
April 27-29, 2010
Milwaukee, WI NECE providing 6 NERC CEH's in training session!
Clean Transportation Education Program Workshop on Ethanol
May 27, 2010
National Energy
Center of Excellence
Bismarck, ND |
| Take the Next Step and Get Your Bachelor Degree in Energy Management
Accelerate your promotion potential with a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Energy Management!
Set yourself apart from others by completing courses geared specifically for the energy industry. Course work is tailored toward people wanting to learn more about supervisory and management positions, and/or seek advancement.
|
Attention Employers!!!
Are you looking for qualified people to fill open positions in your facility? Students will be completing degrees in May and will be looking for employment!
| |
