West Virginia Northern Community College will discuss the pilot of a 40 week accelerated program in Chemical Operator Technology, developed under the Bridging the Gap grant.  Currently, located on the New Martinsville Campus, this industry driven program emerged through discussion with regional chemical and energy companies who reported their current need for educated and trained personnel in the chemical operator technician field. In addition, college personnel are looking at the future demand for these technicians with the proposed construction of two different ethane cracker plants in the region.  Presenters will discuss the hurdles faced and the solutions found working through financial aid, registration, workforce development funding, non-traditional scheduling blocks, and faculty teaching schedules.  As the pilot program nears the half-way mark, the presenters will also share lessons learned and what changes may be considered moving forward.