Millwright Students Gain Real-World Insight at Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal

The Prince William Sound College Millwright class recently participated in a technical field trip to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) at the Valdez Marine Terminal, giving students a firsthand look at large-scale industrial operations and the systems that ensure safe, reliable pipeline and terminal operations.

The tour was led by Lt. Matt Smelcer, who serves as Lead Mechanical Maintenance Technician at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC), a position he has held for 30 years. He also serves as a Lieutenant on the fire brigade. Working alongside Maintenance Supervisor Justin Major—also a millwright—Matt helped connect classroom learning to real-world industrial practice.

During the visit, Lt. Smelcer shared insight into emergency response, facility safety, and operational procedures. Students toured the tank farms, Berth #5, the powerhouse, and the maintenance shop, learning about critical systems including ballast water management, inert gas systems used to reduce fire risk in storage tanks, power generation and distribution, and the importance of preventive maintenance and routine inspections.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session with Lt. Smelcer and Justin Major, where students asked about career pathways, job and internship opportunities, and the training and experience required to work at TAPS. Millwright instructor Spencer Heston shared that Justin mentored him when he was starting through the PWSC Millwright program, and that they later worked together for years in the field. He also noted that both he and Justin served on the industrial fire/rescue team under last year’s PWSC graduate speaker, Fire Chief Sean Wisner.

The experience was especially meaningful given that Spencer previously worked for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for approximately 12 years, bringing added perspective and connection to the visit. The Millwright program thanks Lt. Smelcer, Justin Major, and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for their time, expertise, and continued support of student learning and workforce development.