HCC’s RigOne prepares students for oil industry careers

Mar 5, 2018

Oil prices may have fallen in recent years, but the demand for entry-level oil rig workers is on the rise. Houston Community College is working with the oil industry to fill those jobs with the RigOne Program.

“These are positions for which industry has indicated a need for offshore, as well as land-based drilling platforms,” said Horatio Brooks, HCC Program Director for Industrial Technology and Energy.

RigOne is an oil rig teaching facility at HCC’s Northeast College that is equipped with an overhead crane, forklift and hand tools.

“Industry approached HCC and we have developed a program where we can train individuals, emphasizing safety,” Brooks said. “We introduce students to the drilling platform and the drilling industry as a whole.”

The 12-week program includes four weeks that are primarily classroom-based, where students learn the basics of the oil industry, job interviewing skills and resume preparation.

Upon completing the program, students are awarded the International Association Drilling Contractors  (IADC) Rig Pass, IADC WellCAP and ACT National Career Readiness certifications and are ready to enter the oil industry workforce.

For additional information on the RigOne Program visit: hccs.edu/rigone.