Published: April 13, 2008 02:32 am            

Mountain State Mine Training open in Mannington

MANNINGTON — After training under a retired federal mine instructor for about three years, Stacy Coberly decided to ventured out on her own and open Mountain State Mine Training.

At the beginning of February, Coberly started renting the building at 402 East Main Street in Mannington. She brought in a chalk board, desks and other items to create a classroom learning environment there.

Coberly, who lives on the outskirts of Mannington, officially opened her business on Feb. 18 when she started classes. She is a certified safety instructor through the state and federal government.

“Most of the people in my family were coal miners,” she said. “It’s just something that I’ve always been a part of since I was born basically.”

She teaches an 80-hour red hat safety underground course, which costs $250, and a 40-hour surface mining course for $160. She offers a $50 discount for students who want to take the consecutive course and get both certifications. Coberly also holds an eight-hour refresher course for both surface and underground mining.

She offers classes in the daytime, evenings and sometimes on weekends. She tries to fit the class times with her students’ work and school schedules.

Students have come from Mannington, Philippi, Wetzel County and other areas to take the courses. State officials come to Mountain State Mine Training to test the students. Coberly has trained around 70 people so far, and no one has failed.

“It’s slow starting up,” she said of the business. “I’m still trying to get my name out there.”

Coberly also provides job placement assistance and helps students build their resumes and fill out applications.

For more information or to register for a class, call Mountain State Mine Training at 986-1970.

E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.