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Educator: Post-secondary training needed for oil careers

The special projects coordinator for the Bismarck Public Schools says post-secondary education is becoming more important in the oil industry. That story from Prairie Public's Dave Thompson.

Kent Ellis also owns an oil brokerage firm.  Ellis says post-seconndary training doesn't have to lead to a four-year degree. He says it could mean a two-year technical degree.

"Two year technical degrees are in extraodinary demand across the country," said Ellis. "We do a disservice to the young people of North Dakota and the nation in general, insisting that the four year academic route is the only way to be successful."

Ellis says having that kind of degree means a student can have a fall-back position.

"Once the drilling and expansion has occurred, there will be on-going production," said Ellis. "And that's where these technical positions -- control technicians, mechanicl maintenance technicians, electricians -- those are all extraordinarily skilled positions that need specialized post secondary training."

Ellis was part of a four day teacher education seminar at Bismarck State College – sponsored by the oil industry.

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