Apprentice Underground Miner
“Red Hat” Course

A new miner orientation program, sponsored by Pierpont Community & Technical College, is offered at various locations through out our 13-county service region. Tuition cost is $350. All training materials are provided. An additional $10 fee is required for the final examination, which must be paid by the student directly to the WV Office of Miner's Health and Safety.

Classes are held in both daytime and evening formats. Please check the class schedule link for current information about the place, dates and times these classes will be held. Attendance is mandatory as required by state law. Participants are asked to bring a pencil and notebook to the first class.

The course is designed to prepare the student for the certification exam that is required for the student to become an entry-level underground coal miner. Students will be exposed to a general orientation in mining, mining health and safety, mine gases and ventilation, roof and ribs, haulage, emergency response, accident prevention and hazard recognition, and miner and operator rights and responsibilities. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Class size is limited to 25 persons and pre-registration is required. Students may register online at the link below, or download and submit a paper registration form with payment to our offce. A paper registration form is available in a PDF format at the link below.

Register Online         Paper Registration         Financial Aid          Location         Course Schedules

Questions? 304-367-4920 or email