Workforce Development

NEWS RELEASE ________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2017

NORTH DAKOTA PETROLEUM COUNCIL LAUNCHES FORT BERTHOLD ENERGY PARTNERS SCHOLARSHIP

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) and its Energy of North Dakota initiative have recently partnered with Missouri River Resources, and Baker Consulting to create the Fort Berthold Energy Partners scholarship program for deserving enrolled members of the MHA Nation pursuing an education and/or career in energy.

“Sixteen percent of state production is located on MHA Nation, and yet, even with this valuable resource, unemployment, poverty and reliance on social services remain high,” said Dave Williams, President and CEO of Missouri River Resources. “This scholarship will help us address some of those issues by encouraging enrolled members of the Three Affiliated Tribes to pursue post-secondary education and training so they can take advantage of the many high-paying careers available right in their back yards and help the oil and gas industry continue to responsibly develop our vast natural resources.”

The NDPC scholarships are valued at $2,000 per year for each recipient. Applicants must be an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, had a 3.0 GPA or higher in high school, have completed high school within the last two years and are pursuing or plan to pursue an energy-related degree. Applications are due by June 1, 2017 for the 2017-2018 academic year.

“The oil and gas industry continues to make up a large part of North Dakota’s workforce, and even after the recent downturn in activity, we will still see a shortage of skilled workers,” said NDPC President Ron Ness. “We are excited to add this new scholarship opportunity to the tools and resources we have to further expand our efforts to prepare students for our industry.”

About the North Dakota Petroleum Council Since 1952, the Petroleum Council has been the primary voice of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota. The Petroleum Council represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including oil and gas production, refining, pipeline, mineral leasing, consulting, legal work, and oil field service activities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Rocky Mountain Region. For more information, go to www.ndoil.org<http://www.ndoil.org>.

Media Contact:

Tessa Sandstrom

Communications Manager

ND Petroleum Council

701.223.6380

tsandstrom@ndoil.org<mailto:tsandstrom@ndoil.org>

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

DATE, 2016

SJC Contact: Rhonda Schaefer, Marketing Director (505) 566-3205

As high school seniors approach graduation and adult tribal members seek career advancement, Missouri River Resources (MRR) and San Juan College (SJC) in Farmington, N.M., have announced a partnership that will provide stellar educational opportunities for Native American students from the Three Affiliated Tribes and beyond. The partnership, created to help interested individuals launch careers in energy and business related fields, will strengthen the tribal workforce and economy.

“Missouri River Resources looked throughout the U.S. for a partner that would provide best-in-class educational programs in the energy sector,” said Dave Williams, MMR CEO. “We found it in San Juan College.”

Williams went on to explain that even with the current down-turn in oil and natural gas prices, there is a good future in the energy industry. “There is a critical need to develop people that will deliver the energy business for years to come.”

Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass, SJC President, was equally enthusiastic about the partnership. “We have a world-class center for energy education that was built in collaboration with the industry. Working with a forward-thinking business like Missouri River Resources that shares our commitment to educate the current and future workforce is mutually beneficial.”

San Juan College is well-positioned to partner with MRR on this initiative. The college ranks second in the nation among community colleges in the number of degrees awarded to Native American students, with Native Americans making up more than 30 percent of the SJC student body. The School of Energy programs focus on preparing students for careers in Petroleum Production Operations, Industrial Processing, Instrumentation and Controls, Occupational Safety, and Industrial Maintenance Mechanics. A new $16 million facility houses the latest technology and equipment, and includes a fully-functioning wellsite.

Pete Sorensen, the MRR Workforce Development director, is eager to discuss the program with anyone who would like more information. “This provides a tremendous opportunity for individuals interested in a career in the energy industry to get on board. We will work with local tribal colleges to ensure that a variety of educational plans are possible.”

Sorensen went on to say that students may choose to take general education course requirements at their local Tribal College or University. “There are a number of options designed to fit the student’s specific needs.”

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San Juan College

4601 College Boulevard u Farmington, New Mexico 87402 u (505) 566-3205 u Fax: (505) 566-3521

Click here for San Juan Application

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