WILLISTON (AP) - Williston State College is launching a rig safety training program this week for people interested in oil field jobs.

The program starts near the city's industrial park, using a simulated hole and donated rig.

"It's called floor hand training for well servicing. The actual class will start Oct. 29. But people need to take the 40-hour safety class before going on the rigs," said Deanette Piesik, director of the Williston State College Workforce Training Program.

The safety class starts Monday. The safety course and the rig course will be offered every week, she said.

Piesik said students may be oil company recruits or people who just want to learn how to operate a rig.

"We're working with well servicing companies. They will send us their new hires. There will always be room for people off the street who want to know what it's like to work on a service rig and interested in employment there," she said.

The Williston State College Foundation purchased the property for the college and companies have donated the equipment, she said.

Ground will be broken for a new classroom building in April.

"We're expecting three classrooms - two small ones and one large," she said.

"This will be a small program. Only six students can be in it because of the intensity and danger," Piesik said. "This is a way for some people to decide if this is a job they want or a career they want."

Piesik said a partnership with 25 energy-related companies has been a key to the program.