CTC System Focuses on Training New Chemical Workers

By: Paul Darst
The State Journal

Working in a chemical plant is a lot more complicated than it used to be.

Today's plant operators need to have math and science skills, as well as knowledge about the machinery and processes used in the industry. Although a college degree and advanced training often are not required, they can be helpful for applicants to get a leg up on their competition.

To that end, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association is working with the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia to develop a course of study to train chemical industry workers, said Karen Price, president of the association.

"The CTC is working on curriculum now," she said. "They can offer them training, but we can't offer them a job."

After years of downsizing, the chemical industry in West Virginia now is more stable, Price said. Chemical plants across the state now are preparing for a wave of retirements that is expected within the next few years. According to Price, about half of today's chemical industry work force is expected to retire within the next five years. The other half could retire after that.

For the past several months, the chemical industry and CTC System have worked together to develop the Center for Applied Process Technology (CAPT) Program, said Sid Valentine, coordinator of work force technology program development for the CTC System.

"It's broken down into three certifications: intro to process control, instrumentation and process technology," he said. "In those certifications, we're looking to take the CAPT curriculum and add the general education requirements for the state of West Virginia to develop a two-year associate of applied science degree."

Those interested in chemical industry careers around the state will be able to take the course, Valentine said.

"We're going to offer it here in the Kanawha Valley, as well as in Wood County, which is part of the Polymer Alliance Zone," Valentine said. "They're dealing with the same issues as (Kanawha Valley) chemical plants are."

The CTC System plans to offer the course of study in a traditional classroom setting and online, he said.

"We're hoping to attract traditional students and adult students," Valentine said. "We hope that some already have college degrees and are now looking for a career change."

State CTC officials hope to kick off the CAPT program by this September or October, he said. Although the associate degree program will take two years to complete, those hoping to gain employment in the chemical industry won't necessarily have to wait that long.

"The chemical industry will start looking at you after you complete the intro to pross control courses," Valentine said. "If you take it online, theoretically you could (complete the intro courses) in roughly 90 days."

The idea is that if students are hired at a plant after completing the intro courses, they can continue working on their associate's degrees, he said.

At this point, CTC officials have not decided on a fee system for the CAPT course, Valentine said. The amount of fees could be college-specific, depending upon where a student takes classes.

"In Advantage Valley, they can take (CAPT) at West Virginia State or the West Virginia University Institute of Technology," he said. "Those two might go together and come up with a set fee between them."

At this point, the only other CTC in the state where CAPT will be offered is West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Valentine said.

CAPT will be important not only for the chemical industry, but for the economic well-being of the state, Price said.

"... There will be jobs coming open," she said. "If we don't have people ready to take those jobs, companies that are thinking about coming here might start looking around. IT's important for the state to let people know that there are jobs out there."

If the plants already located here can't find enough qualified people to fill the openings, they might take a different approach, said Kevin DiGregorio, executive director of the Chemical Alliance Zone.

"I would guess that if they can't find (suitable replacements), they would recruit from outside the area," he said.