HCTC hires Howard for coal training

Letcher County News Press, Cromona

Hazard Community & Technical College (HCTC) welcomes Cecil Howard as their new Coal Instructional Specialist. Howard has 28 years of experience as the owner and trainer for H and H Training in Jenkins where he taught underground and surface initial and retraining classes as well as underground and surface foreman classes. He has conducted electrical training and CPR training as well as performed dust and noise surveys for various mining corporations.

His certifications include: Underground and Surface Instructor, Electrical Instructor, MET instructor, CPR instructor, and Certified Foreman and Electrician.

Jesse Campbell, coordinator of the Kentucky Coal Academy for HCTC, is excited about having Cecil Howard as part of the training staff. "Cecil has every conceivable certificate a trainer could have. He is a wonderful teacher and has all the skills needed to teach coal mining training. He is well rounded; he is exceptionable. We're fortunate to have him."

Howard is a native of Letcher County. His wife is Billie Sue and children are Michael, Scott, David, and Mikki.

HCTC has 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 jobs 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.