West Virginia Northern Community College will start offering more classes regarding the oil and gas industries by the end of March.

The classes are part of a joint effort between the college and Dominion Gas. The gas company previously asked the school to train 100 people for potential jobs at a new $500 million fractionation facility under construction in Marshall County.

Dominion Gas officials said they are looking for 100 workers interested in construction and, later, oil- and gas-related jobs.

This is not the first time the college has offered training classes for the private sector -- the college continues to train dealers for Wheeling Island's casino -- but officials said response to the Dominion Gas job training program has been overwhelming.


"This one is a unique one because it is in the construction industry. It's the first time we have done something like that and it's very exciting because of all the growth that is going on in the area," said Mike Koon, vice president of the community college.

Koon said a grant was provided to the college by the Advance Grant Program.

Students have just a few weeks left to apply for the six-week-long program. Classes will start March 26 at WVNCC's Wheeling and New Martinsville campuses.

Koon said if more than 100 people apply, a second training course could likely be added.