The modern approach to vocational safety training demands collaboration between industry leaders, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Energy Innovation Center (EIC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where United Rentals, through its United Academy training division, has partnered with Serious Labs Inc. to create a forward-thinking safety curriculum for the oil and gas industry. This initiative shifts away from traditional one-size-fits-all training toward a blended learning model incorporating gaming, simulation, short-form video, and mobile content delivery. For construction and industrial professionals, understanding this approach provides valuable insight into the future of workforce development. These developments align with broader trends in Highway Safety Road Safety Audits Crash Analysis Countermeasure, where data-driven methodologies are reshaping how safety is taught and measured across construction and industrial sectors.
The Energy Innovation Center and Its Mission
A Hub for Workforce Development and Industry Collaboration
The Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh functions as an entrepreneurial incubator, a research laboratory, and a matchmaker connecting investors with industry partners. Its core mission involves assisting job creation for the energy industry, with a strong emphasis on diversity and workforce development training for at-risk populations. The EIC campus spans seven acres and encompasses 250,000 square feet, with over $100 million invested by the end of 2016. Rich DiClaudio, the EIC’s director of corporate workforce development, described the center’s measured approach: “If we’re running a marathon, we’re at about the first mile marker. Over time some programs will no longer be needed or new programs will need to be created to assist the individual worker along his or her career path.”
The Energy Safety Passport Program
One flagship program developed by the EIC is the Energy Safety Passport, which standardizes basic safety awareness and worker competency across the upstream energy industry. The process began with energy producers collaborating to establish consistent safety and environmental training standards. The program streamlines how workers, vendors, and subcontractors gain access to energy sites, eliminating duplication and ensuring every worker meets the same baseline requirements.
Key objectives of the Energy Safety Passport program include:
- Establishing uniform safety standards across multiple energy producers and contractors
- Reducing redundant training for workers moving between job sites
- Creating verifiable credentials that follow the worker throughout their career
- Integrating modern learning technologies to improve knowledge retention
- Addressing the needs of a linguistically and educationally diverse workforce
Blended Learning: The United Academy Approach
Why Traditional Safety Training Falls Short
Conventional safety training often relies on lecture-based presentations that fail to engage learners effectively. Jim Dorris, vice president of environmental, health and safety for United Rentals, identified the critical gap: “Not everyone comprehends information in the same way. Blended learning transcends disparities and bridges the generational divide between baby boomers still in the workforce and incoming millennial workers.” United Rentals began addressing this need with the launch of United Academy in 2014.
The EIC spent five months consulting with health, safety, and environmental leaders from the oil and gas industry to understand these challenges before designing its curriculum. The goal was to create training for a diverse population including individuals with graduate-level education, those with no formal secondary education, and workers who speak English as a second language.
The Role of Simulation and Gaming
Serious Labs Inc. brought simulation and game-based technology to the EIC curriculum. Jim Colvin, CEO of Serious Labs, explained: “There are 35 key rules we amalgamated that all companies in heavy industry follow, such as proper PPE, no smoking, no texting while driving. This is information that everyone needs, but nobody really likes to learn. Organizations often don’t invest in quality instruction when it comes to general orientation material.” Dorris added: “There’s a reason why virtual reality games are so prominent in our society. It’s a complete immersion in an environmental experience that can’t be replicated elsewhere except in real life.” Immersive instruction provides a risk-free way for workers to learn about hazardous environments.
Mixed Media Learning and Knowledge Retention
The blended model incorporates multiple content delivery methods to maximize retention:
- Instructor-led sessions using graphical techniques to reinforce learning objectives
- Tablet-based interactive modules allowing students to engage with content at their own pace
- Gamified knowledge checks providing real-time feedback on which concepts need reinforcement
- 3D object visualization enabling instructors to explore specific learning objectives in detail
- Short-form video content designed for mobile consumption and quick reference
DiClaudio highlighted the advantage: “Mixed media learning has strong metrics for retention of information. This led to our partnership with United Rentals and Serious Labs, to draw on their expertise in this area.” These principles align closely with proven Construction Safety Programs Hazard Identification Training Requirements and that emphasize hazard identification, structured training requirements, and comprehensive safety management systems.
The General Orientation Course Structure
Course Content and Delivery
The first course rolled out through the partnership is a general orientation (GO) course that trains prospective workers on basic safety, health, and environmental knowledge required by energy contractors and producers. The content was developed with subject matter experts from the oil and gas industry. The GO course covers 35 essential safety rules that apply across heavy industry, forming the foundation of safe worksite behavior.
In the United Academy curriculum, an instructor leads the GO course using graphical techniques. Teachers can isolate specific learning objectives, hone in on worksite imagery, pause to observe 3D objects, and engage students in discussion. Students use tablets loaded with interactive content, and games reinforce the learning objectives. Periodic knowledge checks give instructors real-time feedback on comprehension, enabling dynamic adjustment of their teaching approach.
Safety Rules Covered in the General Orientation
| Safety Category | Examples of Key Rules | Training Method |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Protective Equipment | Hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, high-visibility vests | 3D visualization, instructor demonstration, tablet quiz |
| Worksite Conduct | No smoking in restricted areas, no horseplay, proper housekeeping | Simulation scenarios, gamified knowledge checks |
| Equipment Operation | Pre-use inspections, lockout/tagout procedures, safe start verification | Virtual reality simulation, video demonstration |
| Hazard Communication | Chemical labeling, safety data sheets, spill response procedures | Interactive tablet module, short-form video |
| Emergency Response | Evacuation routes, fire extinguisher use, first aid reporting | Gamified drill scenarios, instructor-led walkthrough |
| Driving Safety | No texting while driving, seat belt usage, site speed limits | Video scenarios, mobile-based microlearning |
This structured approach reflects the broader principles of Construction Safety Principles of Hazard Identification Risk Assessment, where systematic hazard identification, risk assessment, and accident prevention strategies form the backbone of effective workplace safety programs.
Scalability and Future Implications for Industry Safety Training
Projected Enrollment and Growth
The EIC established ambitious enrollment projections for its GO course. In the first 12 months, between 4,000 and 7,000 individuals are expected to complete the course. As the energy industry rebounds, projections climb to 10,000 to 15,000 completions per year. Charlie Schliebs, a founding board member of the EIC, emphasized the strategic timing: “We’re listening to industry experts and determining the best way to develop that training.” DiClaudio noted that during the prior energy boom, Pittsburgh was not prepared and skilled workers came from elsewhere. The EIC model aims to ensure the local workforce is ready for the next boom.
Expanding Beyond Oil and Gas
While the initial focus is oil and gas, the applications extend further. Ethane cracker plants and natural gas utilities are already expressing interest in the Pittsburgh region. Dorris sees a broader horizon: “If we can replicate the oil and gas training approach in other verticals, we’ll have created a new future for safety training.” Industries that could benefit include:
- Construction – Heavy equipment operation, crane safety, and excavation safety training
- Manufacturing – Plant safety, chemical handling, and lockout/tagout procedures
- Utilities – Electrical safety, confined space entry, and trenching operations
- Transportation – Fleet safety, load securement, and hazardous materials handling
- Mining – Underground safety, ventilation, and emergency evacuation protocols
The partnership demonstrates how progressive safety training can adapt to a diverse workforce while maintaining rigorous standards. This model is particularly relevant given the evolution of equipment rental and safety services, as illustrated by United Rentals Acquires Ahern Rentals Reshaping the Equipment and broader consolidation trends in the industry.
Lessons for Safety Professionals
The EIC and United Academy model offers key takeaways for organizations modernizing their safety training:
- Understand workforce demographics before designing training content
- Partner with technology providers specializing in simulation and gamified learning
- Use multiple content delivery formats to accommodate different learning styles
- Implement real-time knowledge assessments for dynamic instruction adjustment
- Design for scalability so programs can adapt to other industries and regions
- Engage industry subject matter experts in curriculum development
The partnership between United Rentals, United Academy, Serious Labs, and the EIC represents a significant advance in how the construction and energy industries approach safety training. By combining innovative technology with thoughtful curriculum design, this model addresses the challenge of preparing a diverse workforce for high-risk industrial environments. As the program matures and expands to other verticals, its impact on safety outcomes could reshape industry standards for years to come.