Coal mining training is a vital resource in what can be a dangerous industry to work in. Coal education can also help us weigh the environmental impacts that coal mining has as well as to assess the health risks associated with mining. Coal mining training and coal mining classes are an integral part to any mine's business plan, and as an owner, operator or miner, you should plan to increase your mining knowledge to the best of your ability.

Coal education doesn't just stop at the mine, though. It is just as important for other business people as well as children and other adults alike to familiarize themselves with the industry. Coal is a major energy source in this country, and it stands to increase in popularity as we continue to try and wean ourselves off of foreign oil.

To find out more about coal education and training for beginners:

1. Start with background information on coal mine training.

2. Turn your coal education to find out about the industry.

3. See what coal education is available for young and old.

4. Consider pursuing a coal mining degree, or simply taking coal mining classes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with coal education from non-for-profit organizations

Find coal education and training for beginners from non-for-profit organizations that provide background information on the topic.

I recommend: Learn about modern mining from the National Mining Association. Find out about innovations, clean coal, safety, article information as well as take advantage of their supplier directory. The National Mining Association also offers information pertaining to coal mining news, statistics, publications and issues. Use your coal miner training to learn about federal and state coal mining regulations in America from the American Coal Foundation. Their site offers a wide variety of other coal mining education materials, lesson plans and resources.

Learn more about coal mine training and regulation of the industry

Discover the facts, rules and history of the industry as part of your coal education.

I recommend: Find a wealth of information on the Kentucky Coal Education site. Learn about coal facts, the history of coal, Kentucky coal regulatory agencies, coal technology information, mining equipment information as well as safety information. The Environmental Literacy Council offers a very informative coal education site that also has many coal mining training and informational resources.

Find out what coal education is available in your area

From simple field trips to coal mining training, learn what coal education is available for young and old in your area.

I recommend: Learn about the total concept of the mining industry from the Colorado Mining Association Education Foundation. The program is part of their The Colorado School of Mines Office of Special Programs and Continuing Education program. Find out about coal mine worker education requirements in the State of Illinois.

Take your coal education and training even further

Take coal miner classes or earn a coal mining degree to get to the top of the coal education ladder.

I recommend: Consider the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Coal Mine Management and Safety from Midway College in Midway, KY. The Kentucky Coal Academy is another coal education and training option as well.

If you want to work in the coal mines, you need coal education and training to get started. All states have some type of regulations specifying the amount of coal mine training you must have before you can begin work. This is for your own safety.

While it's true that entry-level workers must receive training before they even set foot in the mines, that doesn't mean that seasoned professionals are off the hook. It's important for all workers to periodically update their coal mining training to make sure that they don't forget important details or learn new techniques.

With coal education and training, you can:

1. Stay safe in the mines. Perhaps the most important reason to take coal mining classes is to stay safe. Coal mining is dangerous work, but the proper training will teach you to avoid deadly mistakes.

2. Start your career as a coal miner. You must meet state requirements for coal mining education before you can work. Education is a great way to start a career.

3. Advance your career. If you want to become an inspector, foreman or hoisting engineer at the coal mines, then coal miner training will help you get there.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take coal miner classes to stay safe in the mines

Mining safety is incredibly important. You should feel confident that you understand safety rules and regulations and that you know the proper procedures. This will help keep you and your co-workers safe while working.

I recommend: The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety offers training programs that include videos and on-site training. The U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration also has training resources.

Look for coal mine classes for your yearly retraining

Coal miners should receive yearly retraining to continue to work in the field. This is important to keep up to date on safety procedures and to make sure that workers do not forget important information.

I recommend: If you're in Virginia, check with the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy to see when they offer retraining classes. Rend Lake College offers retraining courses for electricians that work in the coal mines that the Mine Safety and Health Administration approves.

Take coal mine classes that offer professional certification

Having certification can help you stand out among other potential workers. It's best to enter a study program that results in a certification to show employers that you have what it takes to get the job done.

I recommend: The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining offers a certification for mine surface blasters. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College also offers several mining classes that can earn you certification.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you manage a coal mine, you may want to schedule yearly retraining classes on-site for all of your workers to participate in. This can be a great way to ensure that all employees receive the yearly coal mine training that state law requires.

Coal mine classes remain relevant today, since coal is still a major source of fuel for the generation of electricity around the world. Countries that rely on coal for more than 75% of their electricity include Poland, South Africa, Australia and China. In 2006, 50% of electricity in the United States was fueled by coal. Consequently, the coal industry remains viable and may even grow as Americans seek alternative fuel sources to foreign oil.

As the coal industry grows, so will the demand for coal miner training. Companies looking to train their workers should find coal industry training that integrates the latest news and trends into its programming. When searching for the latest trends in coal education and training, there are a few things to keep in mind, including:

1. Coal mining education classes offer coal mine industry leaders opportunities to get the latest news and trends first hand.

2. Several organizations offer mining publications, which provide excellent insight into coal industry education trends.

3. Coal mining blogs provide regular coal industry updates pertinent to coal mining courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take some coal mine courses designed for leaders in the industry

Courses designed for industry leaders, including inspectors, provide important insight into the latest strategies and techniques in the coal industry. People who take these courses also get a better idea of news and trends that should be taught in coal miner classes.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration offers several courses that cover a wide range of current topics, including safety and inspection procedures, accident prevention, mining technology and industrial hygiene. Vincennes University offers several courses, including underground miner classes, surface classes and safety classes.

Peruse various mining publications for the latest news and trends relevant to coal mining training

Mining publications offer the latest news emerging from the coal mining industry.

I recommend: The National Mining Association offers numerous publications devoted to the coal mining industry, including, Mining Week, which covers current legislation and business developments relevant to the mining industry. Coal International offers online publications, including Mining and Quarry World and Coal International. Another good source of information is, Coal News, which is a publication of the Coal Institute. Finally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offers links to numerous downloadable mining publications.

Learn about possible trends in coal mine training by tuning in to coal mining industry forums

News coming from the coal mining industry is often a good indicator of what topics will emerge in coal mining classes. You don't need to wait for a newspaper or magazine to report on coal news; instead, you can keep up with the industry by reading coal mining blogs.

I recommend: The American Coal Council maintains a blog devoted to various aspects of the coal industry. The Kentucky Coal Blog covers various coal related topics that affect the state of Kentucky. The blog also provides good links to recent media pertaining to the mining industry.

Coal education and training is key for anyone connected with the mining industry. Workers and mine supervisors need to keep their skills and training current. It is also vital for anyone considering working in the field, because safety is paramount. This is true not only for the miners themselves, but also to their families. Knowledge about coal is also important to the general public who depend on coal to fuel their homes or produce electricity.

No coal education and training would be complete without knowledge about future coal technologies. All mine owners, miners and the general public should be aware of the advances in the field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Material handling safety

A large part of coal education and training involves material handling safety. Material handling safety has three key components: manual material handling , mechanical material handling, and material storage. Safety is crucial in each of these areas, so it's important for mine workers to be trained in these areas.

I recommend: The National Mine Health and Safety Academy offers a free online course on material handling safety. You can click through the documents to learn more about the subject.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

An important part of coal education and training is knowledge of the rules and regulations governing mines. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was enacted in 1977, but has been amended several times since then. The act mandates that abandoned mine sites be reclaimed to prevent landslides and fires. It also requires permits, inspects mines, and restricts surface mining to certain areas.

I recommend: The University of New Mexico provides a copy of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act regulations.

Kentucky Coal and Energy Education Project

Kentucky Coal and Energy Education Project offers coal education for teachers, students and the general public. The project website offers a variety of information on mine safety and the future direction of the coal industry.

I recommend: The Kentucky Foundation hosts the Kentucky Coal and Energy Education Project on its website. Click on the various links to learn more about coal and the coal industry.

The World Coal Institute

The World Coal Institute provides a wealth of knowledge about coal. This non-profit organization is open to CEOs worldwide. In addition to working for favorable policies, the group also seeks to educate both those inside the industry as well as the general public about coal.

I recommend: The World Coal Institute offers information on the coal industry and important advances in coal technology.

Clean Coal Power Initiative

The goal of the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) is to develop new technology for commercial power that allows coal to burn more cleanly and efficiently. It aims to provide an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy supply, while at the same time decreasing environmental problems.

I recommend: The National Energy Technology Laboratory discusses the Clean Coal Power Initiative.

Carbon capture and storage technology

To stay current with ongoing innovations in the coal industry, both citizens and miners should educate themselves on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. CCS technology is a global initiative to capture the carbon dioxiode that is emitted when fossil fuels are burned and to separate that for use. FutureGen is a program that was begun to work on carbon capture.

I recommend: The University of Edinburgh explains CCS technology, and the U.S. Department of Energy describes the FutureGen initiative.