News Conference at the Permian Basin Oil Show: On Monday, Oct. 18, Oil Show setup day, don’t miss this announcement from UTPB immediately following the Oil Show news conference and tour at 10 a.m. There will be various CEOs of local oil and gas companies on hand to support this announcement.

UTPB to offer only industrial technology degree
in nation that is tailored to the oil, gas industry

More than one in five employees (23 percent) in the Permian Basin is working in oil and gas exploration and related businesses, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. TWC statistics indicate that at least 18,000 local citizens are employed in oil, gas and mining alone. Seventy percent of Texas’ oil production is in the Permian Basin. After meeting with oil and gas industry employers, University of Texas of the Permian Basin faculty and administrators developed a response to the need of the area to provide advanced education for workers in the oil and gas operations, and the industry sector including manufacturing, product inventory, shipping, oil and gas productions, and servicing.

“A qualified workforce is vital for the region and the state,” said UT Permian President W. David Watts. “I have been informed that advanced courses in the fields of petroleum technology and manufacturing for petroleum service industries are a crucial need for our local communities. I am proud to announce that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board agreed, and has approved UT Permian Basin to offer the Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology.”

UTPB is now one of 15 public universities in Texas to offer an Industrial Technology degree. The program at UT Permian Basin is the only program nationally to have a focus on the workforce needs of the oil and gas industry.

The degree will offer employees, who have worked their way up to the mid-management level, to learn the higher technical, accounting, and managerial skills that will enable them to advance into the top management positions.

“Most of these individuals have families and roots in the Permian Basin,” Watts said. “And now they have an option of earning a baccalaureate degree right here, at UT Permian Basin. This is especially important to the community because it will increase opportunities for our local businesses to promote from within and enhance economic development.”

Watts noted that not only will the degree assist local employees in various industries to advance in their careers, continued expansion of these companies depends upon development of management.

With advanced courses in this arena, the Permian Basin community will be able to offer a permanent, educated workforce for present employers and prospective companies that are considering locating to the area.

Houston Endowment Inc. has provided $200,000 in seed money for the first two years of the new Industrial Technology Program at a rate of $100,000 per year. Dr. Raj Desai, the coordinator and first faculty member for the program is on campus.