Beginning this semester, at least 1,000 high school students from 12 HISD schools will have access to cutting-edge oil and natural gas curriculum and resources to earn a basic petroleum industry certification during high school. The certification is typically required for entry-level positions in the oilfield. The OPEN Petroleum Education Network will offer students in the program at least four online courses in petroleum, oil well drilling, well control, and rig pass. Students who successfully complete the introduction to well control course and the rig pass curriculum will be eligible to receive a certificate from the International Association of Drilling Contractors.

“By educating early on about these opportunities and by providing foundational skills, the program will give HISD students a jump-start on well-paying jobs before they even graduate from high school,” said HISD Career Readiness Assistant Superintendent Michael Webster.

Participating high schools include: Chavez, Energy Institute, Furr, Kashmere, Lamar, Mickey Leland College Preparatory for Young Men, Milby, Reagan, Waltrip, Westside, Wheatley, Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy.