BECOME ONE OF THE
AT
Certificate Degree in Power Plant Technology
This one-year credit-bearing certificate program has been developed in partnership with Allegheny Energy, to help assure the availability of a qualified workforce. Due in part to an aging employee population, Allegheny power generation stations in the region have a need for entry-level operators.
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as power plant operators. Excellent employment opportunities exist in West Virginia and throughout the United States for students who complete this program. Students are not obligated to work for Allegheny Energy upon completion of this certificate program, and are free to obtain employment with any company.
Typical starting wages at area power generation stations are about $15 - $18 per hour, and a power station operator can earn approximately $35,000 to $40,000 per year after six months of initial employment. This job offers stable employment and significant opportunities for advancement.
Classes are held in a cohort format, with students progressing together through the program. Class sizes are limited to match the predicted employment needs of regional power stations, thus assuring a high probability of employment. A 10-week paid internship is offered on a competitive basis at an Allegheny Energy power station which can provide students with field experience. Internship opportunities are contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation, post-offer physical examination and drug screening.
Students will enroll at Pierpont Community & Technical College. Students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements for Math and English may be required to enroll in developmental coursework. Students that are dismissed from this program cannot reapply.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing the program will:
Curriculum / Sequence of Coursework
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FIRST 10-WEEK SEMESTER |
SECOND 10-WEEK SEMESTER Basic DC Circuits Power Plant Water Systems Power Plant Instrumentation and Control |
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THIRD 10-WEEK SEMESTER |
FOURTH 10-WEEK SEMESTER Power Plant Internship; or Industry Internship/Guided Experience Business & Environmental Ethics |
To apply for entrance into this program, DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION, fill it out and send it to:
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Attn: Doug Furr
1201 Locust Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
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For more informationabout this career opportunity, you may visit the websites: or contact a Pierpont Community & Technical College representative at: 304.367.4911 |
Click on the links for more information on jobs related to this program:
| COST 2010-11 (2011-12) | ||
| Q: How much will this program cost me? (on-campus, WV resident) | ||
| A: | Tuition and Fees: | $4,751 ($4880 in 2011-12) |
| Books and supplies: | $1,000* ($641- $4493 in 2011-12) | |
| On-campus room & board: | $6,925 ($6864-8376 in 2011-12) | |
| Program Specific Costs | none | |
| 2010-11 catalog What's Included for 2011-12? | ||
| * new book vendor | ||
| FINANCING | ||
| Q: What are my financing options to pay for the program? | ||
| A: In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, 80% (2010-11) and 81% (2011-12) of graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates: | ||
| Federal loans (graduating on -time completer) | $8,355 in 2010-11 ($7478 in 2011-12) | |
| Federal loans (graduating not on-time completer) | $8,563 in 2010-11 | |
| Federal loans (all completers) | $7478 (2011-12) | |
| SUCCESS |
| Q: How long will it take me to complete this program? |
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A: The program is designed to take 12 months to complete. 67% of the students completed on time In 2010-11; 100% of the students in 2012 completed this program on time. |
| Q: What are the chances of getting a job when I graduate? |
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A: The job placement rate for students who completed the program in 2010-11 was 77% and was 75% in 2012. |
| Q: Will I be able to play back my student loans? |
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A: 91.9 % of students in this institution who took out federal student loans were successfully repaying them (2009 the repayment data was for Pierpont and Fairmont State University combined) In 2010, 81.5% of students in this institution who took out federal student loans were successfully repaying them (Pierpont 2 yr cohort rate 2010) . |
For a list of other institutions that offer similar programs, click here.
