Central Tech Expanding Drumright Campus

February 5, 2010

Central Tech Board of Education is proud to announce the construction of the new of the Pipeline, Oil and Gas Safety Training Facility on the Drumright campus.

“This new innovative facility will be the first of its kind in Oklahoma,” said Phil Waul, Superintendent for Central Tech. “It is totally customized to meet the technical training needs of the Oil and Gas pipeline industry.”

Additionally, Central Tech’s facility will provide training for pipeline technicians, maintenance technicians and NCCER certification required for all workers in the oil and gas industry, as well as comprehensive safety training for business and industry throughout the Central Tech district and the state, Waul said.

This new training center will be a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Accredited Assessment Center as well as a NCCER Accredited Training Center. The training center will be equipped with indoor and outdoor classrooms containing full-scale pipeline maintenance equipment, laboratories, simulators and computer labs designed to provide students with a more realistic training experience.

Peggy Swinehart, Pipeline Training Coordinator said, this new training center will allow Central Tech to continue providing services to the more than 110 companies and thousands of employees.

Ron Dyer, Assistant Superintendent for Central Tech said there has been significant growth in the area of safety training and having adequate space has been challenging.

“We’re excited about the future of providing quality safety training,” Dyer said. “This new facility will allow us to continue to grow and respond to the needs of our industry partners.”

Oil and Gas contractors throughout the Central Tech district and statewide can benefit from Central Tech’s services through various comprehensive safety training and prevention services

Swinehart also said the curriculum combines lecture, classroom exercises and strongly emphasize technical hands-on training.

Many courses qualify for college credit that will apply toward an Associated of Applied Science in Engineering Technologies – Pipeline Technologies. This degree program is being developed in partnership with Oklahoma State University – Institute of Technology, Swinehart said.

“The Central Tech district is home to the pipeline crossroads of the world,” Dyer said. “Our emphasis on pipeline and safety training is a natural fit for this area.”

The 16,000sq/ft training center will break ground this winter.

Central Tech provides excellence in technical education to empower individuals and elevate the workforce.