12 MARCH 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Launch of a Geothermal Drilling Apprenticeship Adapted from Information by Southern Utah University (SUU) A first-of-its-kind geothermal apprenticeship program has been unveiled by Fervo Energy, SUU, and Elemental Impact, offering gas and oil workers, along with southwest Utah residents, a unique opportunity to transition into the expanding enhanced geothermal sector, while building on the workforce momentum driven by the Inflation Reduction Act. This innovative program provides a comprehensive education in geothermal directional drilling and well completions, geology, and energy systems, catering to both traditional students as well as working professionals seeking to transition into the geothermal energy sector. “Thousands of Americans work in upstream oil and gas, and with the right tools, they can easily apply their skill sets to geothermal production,” said Tim Latimer, Fervo CEO and Cofounder. “We can harness the full potential of this existing talent pool and attract new talent beyond current fossil fuel workers by providing on-the-ground and inclassroom training opportunities. We believe that our apprenticeship program with SUU can ignite that process, supporting local job growth across southwest Utah.” Already, 22 individuals working with ten different oilfield service providers have registered for the geothermal apprenticeship program. The program aims to provide individuals with an opportunity to fill an immediate workforce need upon completion of the apprenticeship. Funding from Elemental Impact, a nonprofit focused on climate technology and community initiatives, has enabled Fervo to provide this workforce training program. “Demand for electricity is surging and expected to double in the U.S. by 2030; geothermal sources, like those being deployed by Fervo, have the potential to meet that demand while boosting local jobs,” said Dawn Lippert, Founder and CEO of Elemental Impact. “We are thrilled to support this geothermal apprenticeship program and help power the transfer of valuable skills from oil and gas professionals to the geothermal industry. This initiative, in partnership with SUU, is an essential bridge to building a local workforce and advancing the clean energy transition.” Photo courtesy of Fervo Energy. GEO Photo courtesy of SUU.
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