Energy Students Land Jobs | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 4/5/2012

North Dakota`s energy industry is growing quickly, attracting thousands of people from across the country. But you don`t have to look far to find workers who want those jobs. Bismarck State College`s energy programs have placement rates in the 90 percent range. They are attractive programs, many are offered online and have competitive starting salaries for new graduates.

There is no shortage of jobs in North Dakota`s energy industry, with seven power plants constantly running, thousands of wells pumping and thousands more waiting to be drilled, more hands on deck is the mantra around here.

Much of that training starts at BSC`s energy center, where about a quarter of BSC students study something energy-related.

"All of the programs that we`ve developed in the energy area are really based on the demand from industry," said BSC Energy Center Vice President Kari Knudson.

Employers are relying on BSC to churn out new workers, like Coltyn Anderson. He`s moving to Williston after he graduates to work as an electronic technician for Halliburton.

"It`s a great feeling. Just knowing that I got somewhere to go afterwards and not gonna be sitting around, looking for jobs, starting to get in the panic mode. It`s nice to know right after school I`ll be able to go start working and making money."

Jed Holznagel also has big plans after graduation. He`s landed a 15-month paid internship at a power plant, where he`ll be responsible for checking valves and learning more about how the units operate.

"It`s nice to know I have somewhere to go and get some experience. There`s a lot of opportunities here in North Dakota for people going in to that industry. It`s a good career. It`s a good pay. I mean it`s just somewhere you can spend your life working."

Holznagel says he`s hopeful he`ll land a job there when he finishes his internship, bringing him one step closer to his dream of being a supervisor at a power plant.

Most of BSC`s energy programs are two year degrees. Starting next fall, BSC is adding a one-year program in water and wastewater technology. The school says it`s adding it because of the industry`s demand for more workers.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES