Oil industry decline: a perfect time to brush up skill set
This isn’t the first time Alaska’s oil and gas process industry has taken a downturn–those here in the 1980s remember the effects of the oil glut that followed the shortages in the 1970s.
According to Henry Haney, associate professor of process technology, it is likely that the industry will recover as it has done in the past when slowdowns have occurred.
“Now is the time to prepare for the coming recovery through a two-fold opportunity as many oil and gas employees are already doing,” said Haney. “I suggest using a layoff from the industry as a period to focus on verifying experience and updating knowledge bases through taking classes at Kenai Peninsula College.”
Haney emphasizes that when the industry begins hiring again, they will likely gravitate toward the potential employees who either hold degrees and certificates that document their work-readiness status, or those who are working toward academic degrees in the field.
“Kenai Peninsula College offers a one-year certificate program specifically in petroleum technology. If you have prior college classes you may already have transferable credits and could well be on your way to earning that,” said Haney. “The certificate also puts one on track to obtain the two-year process technology associate of applied science degree which is recognized and highly valued by the Alaska process industries. Take advantage of time off and begin to prepare for the brighter days ahead.”
Not sure how to get started or what’s involved in the programs? There will be special summer advising sessions provided by the faculty who teach the courses from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 8, July 13 and 27 in KRC’s Career and Technical Education Center.
The advisors will provide guidance for petroleum technology, process technology, industrial process instrumentation and welding.
There will also be representatives from student services providing information on financial aid opportunities and the admissions and registration process.
For more information, contact Haney by e-mail hwhaney@kpc.alaska.edu.
KPC summer semester update
The spring semester has wrapped up and now it’s time to dive into summer courses. KPC’s summer semester is broken down into two five-week sessions. The first session of the semester begins on May 16 and will end on June 20; the second session begins on June 22 and will end on July 30.
In order to receive a 100 percent refund of tuition and fees for the summer semester, students must withdraw by May 24. The deadline to pay tuition and fees for summer, either session, is July 6 at 5 p.m. or a $125 late fee will be assessed on July 7. If not paid before July 27, another $175 late fee will be assessed.
KPC’s Kenai River Campus will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be closed on weekends this summer. Please note that KPC will be closed on May 30 in observance of Memorial Day as well as July 2-3 for summer recess.
For more information, contact Campus Services at 262-0330 or email iyinfo@kpc.alaska.edu.
KPC faculty members promoted
KPC Director Gary Turner announced at the year-end meeting that two faculty members, Debbie Tobin (biology) and Bettina Kipp (counseling) have been promoted from associate to full professor.
Three associate professors have been granted tenure. These faculty members include Rick Adams (process technology), Chris Stuive (counseling), and Jeff Laube (process technology). Cam Choy (art), hired as an associate professor, was also granted tenure.
