North Dakota's oil industry had a record year in 2008.

And while 2009 is shaping up to be less dynamic, officials tell us the oil industry is still strong....

Williston State College has been adapting its curriculum in recent years - adding courses to train workers for oil and gas production jobs.

And, as Catherine Ross reports, WSC today took another big step in that direction.

(Catherine Ross) Sustainable and renewable energy...those were the buzzwords in Williston today...as Williston State College...with the help of Governor John Hoeven...dedicated its new Petroleum Safety and Technology Center

(nat...ribbon cuting) The center was funded by the joint efforts of the state and more than 60 private companies...a sure sign that energy is officially big business for North Dakota

(Deanette Piesik) "The oil and gas industries really are the drivers of this program. They know there is a shortage of oil and gas workers, and they also know that there is a high retirement level coming up, so they do need to replace workers." (Catherine Ross) What they're offering is hands-on training...using the latest technology from the oil fields

(Deanette Piesik) "You see two tanks out there, a treater, a flare stack in the corner and a large pumping unit...we have a service rig, it's a full-size rig, that was donated, and then some well services showcasing a newer model." (Catherine Ross) The bottom line, however, is jobs...training North Dakotans for higher-paying jobs and attracting workers to the Northwest corner of the state..

(Gov. John Hoeven) "It goes to our philosophy of economic development in this state and how we're trying to build the economy of this state. If you don't have this program, we can't train oil industry workers right here in North Dakota. That means we send them to Wyoming or we send them to Oklahoma." (Deanette Piesik) "I do think it's an opportunity for a lot of these smaller cities to grow. It's an opportunity for a lot of economic growth, not just for the local cities and the Northwest area but for the state of North Dakota. North Dakota is one of the states that is still fairing pretty well compared to other states." (Catherine Ross) And with programs like this, the North Dakota oil industry may just continue to evade the national recession and emerge as a national leader in the energy field.

In Williston, Catherine Ross, KX News

WSC's oil and gas training programs have seen a six-fold increase in the number of students participating over the past seven years...The first classes at the new facility start Monday.

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