Alamo Colleges & Weatherford Get $1.5 Million to Train Eagle Ford Oilfield Workers

Alamo Colleges and Weatherford TWC Grant Check
Alamo Colleges and Weatherford TWC Grant Check

The Texas Workforce Commission is providing a $1.5 million skills development grant to fund the training of 673 new oilfield workers and 300 existing Weatherford employees. Alamo Colleges will train field technicians and engineers that will earn approximately $15-20/hr. 

Jobs currently available across the play include CDL drivers, Logistics Coordinators, Mechanics, Sales Roles, Technicians, and more - Search Avalable Eagle Ford Jobs Here.

 

Oil & Gas Growth Expected in 2014 - Dallas Fed

Federal Reserve Districts
Federal Reserve Districts

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reported that oil & gas companies in the 11th district, which includes Texas, expect further growth in 2014.

Texas respondents indicated particularly strong activity levels in energy, which means the Eagle Ford Job market will remain robust.

The Fed also noted demand for oilfield services was steady even though the rig count had fallen in response to more wells being drilled per rig.

Read more: Energy Highlights from the Dallas Fed's Beige Book

The Eleventh District economy expanded at a moderate pace over the past six weeks. Manufacturing activity increased overall, with demand weakening in only a few industries.

Other economic highlights from the region included:

  • Refining and petrochemical contacts reported extreme difficulty finding engineers and construction workers. They also noted rising wages
  • Manufacturers of construction related products reported slightly higher demand
  • Chemical production in the Gulf Coast region was up
  • Refinery utilization rates were down with the fall maintenance season
  • Winter fuel standards are pulling prices down at refineries, but margins remain healthy
  • Business relocations to Texas fueled demand for non-financial services
  • Railroad contacts said U.S. cargo volumes grew strongly during the reporting period and noted chemicals shipments were robust
  • "A contact noted Houston may be close to having too much office development in the works."
  • Drought conditions continue to ease

The highlights came from the Dallas Beige Book, which summarizes recent economic conditions in the Eleventh District.

Read the full beige book at dallasfed.org

PetroEd Launches Free Online Oilfield Training Program for High School Students - Press Release

PetroEd Online Oilfield Training for High School Students
PetroEd Online Oilfield Training for High School Students

For the first time, PetroEd® is providing access to the industry’s most popular on-line oilfield education courses--without cost--to qualifying students through the Open Petroleum Education Network (OPEN™).

The courses in OPEN are chalk-full of engaging multimedia, 3d animations and interactive learning that resonates with today's generation of visual learners.

 

High paying petroleum industry jobs await...but you have to graduate.

The OPEN initiative provides educational institutions and students worldwide with immediate access to best-in-class multimedia learning materials for the oil and natural gas industry at little or no cost. The OPEN program offers supplemental multimedia learning materials. In today’s frenzied market for skilled engineers, many instructors find themselves deluged with students seeking degrees in petroleum-related programs; they may not have sufficient resources and time to handle the capacity. OPEN allows students to take on-line courses before attending petroleum related classes.

About PetroEd

The OPEN initiative is PetroEd's sustainability program launched in 2010 with founding sponsor SGS in Geneva, Switzerland; the program allows selected universities access to premium quality on-line educational material focused on technical oil and natural gas operations. We are now introducing the course at the secondary school level.

To Learn More or Enroll Contact

Cameron Thompson 713-461-5200 cthompson@petroed.com

The article above was published through EagleFordShale.com’s press release distribution service. Learn more about Eagle Ford Advertising Here.

Must-Know Items for Truck Drivers in the Eagle Ford

Earlier this year we wrote a series of stories about the federal government’s efforts to regulate the training of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators. For 28 years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has attempted to standardize training requirements for entry level drivers (ELDT).

We Need Safer Roads, But...

DMC Instructor & Student
DMC Instructor & Student

There have been several heated conversations from trucking industry leaders, educators and safety advocates on what is a sufficient standard that will actually keep our roadways safer. Everyone agrees that implementing something to reduce accidents would be a good thing, but there are many opinions on how it should be done. Suggestions have ranged from enforcing stricter testing procedures by demonstrating performance based standards to an actual set number of hours that an individual must complete before obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL), as well as where and how the training can be performed.

On September 19th, 2013 the proposed federal rule was withdrawn because of over 700 comments sent to FMCSA stating several major concerns on how the ruling would negatively affect the industry. Protestors stated that the proposed ruling would do little to improve safety as requested by the federal courts.

The proposed rule may not have become law but the issue is far from dead. So here we go again. FMCSA is going back to the drawing board to research how safety can be measured among all drivers and what ruling can they implement to ensure the roadways will be safer.

Beyond the CDL Knowledge & Skills Test

[ic-r]The Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas has energized the Texas economy and provided many high paying jobs. The majority of them require a CDL. To get one you have to take knowledge and skills tests. To pass them requires a little preparation. Individuals seeking employment in the Eagle Ford are preparing for their CDL tests with training at truck driving schools at their local colleges, private for-profit schools or in company training programs. Some use self-guided study paired with borrowing Uncle John’s truck.

You may find a school or company offering “training” that seems quick and easy. You’ll be given copies of test questions from DPS, told to study them and get your CDL permit. Then you will be allowed to practice with a truck before scheduling your skills test at DPS. Sounds like a bargain and a fast track to starting your driving career but you should think twice. That is not training, and it could get you in trouble very quickly. You may find that inadequate training leads to ruining your driving record, wrecking your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score and preventing employment with good carriers that have strict standards.

Getting a CDL is just a start. Licensed CMV drivers have a huge responsibility. There’s much more to becoming a professional driver than just studying the test questions, meeting the basic requirements and squeaking through a driving test. You might think you could learn anything else you need through trial and error, but those errors could be deadly to your fellow drivers, even to you.

FMCSA may have withdrawn the ELT proposed rule at this time but don't let that stop you from making sure you have all the information to succeed. Have respect for yourself and your career. Make an investment in thorough training. You want to be doing this for a long time.

Martin Midstream LPG Plant Planned at the Port of Corpus Christi

Martin Midstream has purchased the last available Port of Corpus Christi property on Harbor Island. The company will construct a $550 million LPG plant on the 245 acre property. The facility could be completed in the next three years and will employ hundreds during construction and 50 full-time positions once completed. Add those to the already booming Eagle Ford jobs market.