HCTC Coal Coordinator offering training

Jesse Campbell loves the coal industry. He greatly enjoyed his 27 years as a coal miner, a profession from which his own father retired. And now he has a new passion teaching coal mining training through the Kentucky Coal Academy at Hazard Community & Technical College.

I like dealing with coal people and the coal business. Coal mining has provided a good life for my family and me and I want to help others to prepare for this work, Campbell said.

No body around here or elsewhere in the state can offer what we have to offer for training in the mining industry, Campbell said. The college has invested more than $500,000 in equipment which simulates the underground mine experience. An additional $400,000 in electrical panels enhances the learning experience. Since class size ranges from only 10 to 22, students receive lots of individual attention in the comprehensive training offered.

The Mining Training Offered at HCTC includes: Various surface and underground certificates, Initial Surface Training, Initial Underground Training, Mine Emergency Tech Training, Initial Blasting Training, Electrician/Maintenance Training, Surface and Underground Retraining (which is required annually)

Different job are available in mining. They include: Surface Heavy Equipment Operator, Underground Mining Equipment Operator, Surface Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Underground Electrician/Maintenance, Mine Foreman, Surface Blaster, Surveyor, Mining or Geological Engineer, Mine Emergency Technician. Workers make $50,000 a year annually, which makes coal mining an attractive career.

Jennifer Chester, Dean of Community Development, said the coal industry appreciates the training offered at the college. We offer a valuable service for those wanting to start in the coal mining business, or for those already working but want to move into supervisory positions, Ms. Chester said. We re fortunate to have Jesse Campbell and his vast amount of experience in our Coal Academy. We look forward to seeing even more students enroll in the program with him.

Campbell has a bachelor s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Cathy, live in Ulvah in Letcher County.

To contact Campbell about enrolling, call 487-3304 or 800-246-7521, ext. 73304.