Sowela to offer pipeline training

Through a $1 million partnership with TC Energy, Sowela Technical Community College plans to create Louisiana’s only oil pipeline training academy. The partnership will allow for the construction of a physical pipeline loop structure at the Lake Charles campus, where students will gain hands-on training at the TC Energy Pipeline Academy.

Though massive pipeline networks cross Southwest Louisiana, Sowela Chancellor Neil Aspinwall said the nearest training facility for pipelines maintenance and operation is in Oklahoma. He said adding such training to Sowela’s workforce development curriculum will help “build the workforce of Southwest Louisiana, the state of Louisiana and the nation.”

“The creation of the TC Energy Pipeline Training Academy is a great and unique opportunity for Sowela to partner with one of the world’s largest energy companies to provide training in a specific field that touches all aspects of the Louisiana economy,” Aspinwall said.

As Southwest Louisiana’s economy stays at record highs, in large part due to the presence of petrochemical industry, there is a growing need to fill jobs that service the pipelines that many facilities rely on, Aspinwall said.

“These pipelines allow the industries to import and export their products efficiently and effectively. However, in order to ensure that these pipelines remain operational, they have to be properly maintained to ensure the products being transported enter, travel and leave the pipeline safely and securely,” he said.

Alex Stroman, TC Energy manager of government relations and community affairs, said the partnership with Sowela is beneficial for the start of new careers in oil and gas, as well as for continuing education opportunities for those who have been in the field for years.

“Together we can teach and craft a new workforce not only skilled to meet the needs of TC Energy and our industry partners today, but to help this industry’s labor force continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.

The academy will include a pipeline industry advisory committee to help implement curriculum and course offerings tailored to the industry’s needs. Students will train in pipeline testing, compliance, security, monitoring and repair, Stroman said.

David Hayes, Sowela executive director of workforce solutions, said pipeline construction is expected to begin by the fall of 2020 and the program will launch in summer 2021.

””

TC Energy is partnering with Sowela Technical Community College to create Louisiana’s only oil pipeline training academy.

Rick Hickman

SportsPlus

Local News

WEATHER UPDATE: Severe storms possible overnight

Local News

Town hall meetings, candidate forums, debates planned ahead of March election

Crime

2/18: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions

McNeese Sports

Rain washes away Cowboys’ trip

Local News

Temple: Changes to La. insurance industry won’t be felt overnight

Local News

Dispute over Gulf name may be headed to court

McNeese Sports

Cowboys rally for big win

Crime

Hitman will continue to serve life sentence in Fourth of July murder

Local News

Delta Airlines flight flips over on landing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport and 8 people are hurt

Local News

School Board looks to make up lost time due to snow days

Local News

Jennings councilman wants to change rules for hiring, firing attorney

life

Preserving history for future generations: Exhibit examinins role Black churches play in communities

Local News

Trump administration tries to bring back fired nuclear weapons workers in DOGE reversal

Crime

2/17: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

life

Vote now for the People’s Choice Mardi Gras of SW La.

Local News

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

McNeese Sports

Showdown in Hammond

McNeese Sports

Diamond roundup: Cowboys fall, Cowgirls win

Local News

US eggs prices hit a record high of $4.95 and are likely to keep climbing

Local News

Several Louisiana public university athletic programs — including McNeese — face financial deficits

Local News

Getting back on par: The long and short of the National Golf Club of Louisiana

Local News

NASA sending DeRidder students’ experiment into stratosphere

Local News

Shady Lane man found unresponsive has died