Tug Valley Mine Institute

Safety, technology, and training a new generation of workers for the modern coal industry was the focus of a presentation given by Carl E. Baisden, director of the Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technology at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College during Thursday night's Tug Valley Mine Institute dinner held at The Brass Tree.

Baisden, who has over 20 years experience in the coal industry, said the academy is using equipment simulators and providing hands on training to students in an effort to prepare a safer, more knowledgeable work force. He said having experienced, properly trained, drug free workers are vital to the future success of the coal industry as well as enticing a new generation into the field.

"We can not afford to let another generation get away from us. We've got to tell them about career choices in the industry and that it is not the same coal mines that their grandfathers and fathers worked in," Baisden said. "There has been such a change in the industry over the past five years."

Since Southern opened its mining academy in October of 2006, over 700 students have taken training classes and 15,000 hours of contact time have been logged. And the academy is continuing to grow. Baisden announced that a new Mine Training Simulator Facility is in the works for downtown Logan which will include a Mine Ergonomics Lab. "This is going to bring us to the forefront," Basiden said.

A Caterpillar rock truck surface simulator is currently being used for training at the college's district office which is located beside the Logan Campus. Perry Jobe and James Bryant are the instructors. He said the financial benefits for the coal industry will be accomplished through training, safety, and production which will increase the bottom line.

Baisden is actively recruiting younger students and recently brought teachers to Arch Coal's Mountain Laurel complex for a tour. By informing teachers about new ways to mine coal and the benefits of its good paying jobs, they can share that information with their students. "I've got to entice young people to come into your industry," Baisden told members of the Tug Valley Mine Institute

He said there are many good opportunities for women in today's coal industry and pointed out that his wife, Lori, a graduate of Southern, currently works in human resources at Arch Coal.

Mine training classes being offered this spring at Southern's mining academy include: Mine Foreman Leadership, Assistant Mine Foreman - Underground, Assistant Mine Foreman - Surface, EMT-M-Plus, 40-Hour Surface Mine Apprenticeship, 80-Hour Underground Mine Apprenticeship, and Surface Equipment Simulator Training. Tuition assistance is available to qualified applicants. Funding is being provided by a grant through the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information about these classes, contact Sandra Podunavac at (304) 792-7160, ext. 229.

The Tug Valley Mine Institute meeting will be broadcast later this month on Southern's Channel 17.

Pictured l-r are Allyn Sue Barker, vice-president for Economic, Workforce and Community Development at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College; Carl E. Baisden, director of Southern's Academy for Training and Energy Technology; Georgene Robertson, president of the Tug Valley Mine Institute; and Ben Hardman of Fletcher Mining Equipment.