Our Tankerman Career Academy will put you on the fast track to a rewarding career as a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Tank-Barge PIC (formerly tankerman) in only four months.
Launched in 2003 to meet industry demands for more licensed Tank-Barge PIC's.
More than 300 TCA graduates to date
One-on-one training by the best tankermen in the industry
Get paid while you train, $20 per hour plus overtime (if applicable)
Average yearly earnings of more than $105,000 as a licensed tankerman
Top earnings in 2024 reached $180,000.
In selecting students for the Tankering Career Academy, we look for individuals who exhibit the characteristics needed to be successful working as a Tank-Barge PIC.
At a minimum, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
The Tankering Career Academy is a tuition-based training program. Applicants must have a letter of pre-approval from a financial institution for a loan covering the tuition fee, or verification of available funds in order to be considered for admission. See the Tuition Information section for more.
As part of the admission process, PSC Group will conduct a criminal background check on all applicants. There are a number of felony convictions that would disqualify a person from receiving a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) and/or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), which are both required to work as a tankerman.
Click the links below to learn more about the TWIC application process and criminal background checks:
Click below to view information regarding the U.S. Coast Guard’s criminal record review process or call the National Maritime Helpdesk at 1-888-427-5662.
The Tankering Career Academy is a tuition-based training program. Applicants must have a letter of pre-approval from a financial institution for a loan covering the tuition fee, or verification of available funds in order to be considered for admission.
Tuition is $13,990. Tuition can be financed or you can pay it with your own funds.
If you do not have the money available, you may choose your own lender and apply for a loan to cover the tuition, OR you may choose to apply for a personal loan through a lending program we have established with La Capitol Federal Credit Union (La Cap). If approved for a La Cap personal loan, La Cap will pay your tuition to PSC on the 10th day of the training program (after the trial period), and your first loan repayment will not be due until the 90th day of training. Please note that PSC does not administer the personal loan program through La Cap. Click on the links below for more information. For other questions or to check on the status of a loan application, contact La Cap directly by calling (800) 522-2748, Ext. 2308.
Instructions – La Capitol Federal Credit Union Student Loan Process for TCA
The Tankering Career Academy is a private training program that is NOT approved for federal student loan programs. We do not have a federal school code or school ID number. If your lender does not authorize personal loans to private training programs without a federal school ID number, we suggest that you consider applying for a personal loan through the program we have established with La Capitol Federal Credit Union (as detailed above).
Unfortunately, our training program does NOT meet the Veteran’s Administration requirements for GI Bill funding or other education program assistance offered to veterans.
There are no scholarships, grants or other financial assistance offered to provide funds for tuition. Our training program does not meet the requirements for any federally-funded or state-funded student grant or loan programs.
If you are paying the tuition with your own funds, you must make payment in full prior to the start of the first day of training. If you have been approved for a personal loan through LaCap Federal Credit Union, the tuition will be disbursed by LaCap on day 10 of the training, after the orientation and initial “trial period.”
Students who withdraw during the first 9 days of training (our “trial period”) will receive a full refund of the tuition. After day 10, a percentage of the tuition will be refunded through the first 84 days of the training. More details on the Tuition Refund Policy will be provided during the TCA Information Session.
Most employees are paid every two weeks. The pay dates vary by work group/site location. Hours and Overtime are not guaranteed.
PSC Group offers a comprehensive package of Benefits to help employees and their families maintain health and well-being, save money, and better prepare for the future. Unless stated otherwise, employees are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire.
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Listed below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about our
Tankering Career Academy. Please review the information prior to registering to attend one of our TCA info sessions.
The Tankerman Career Academy is a tuition-based training program. Applicants must have a letter of pre-approval from a financial institution for a loan covering the tuition fee, or verification of available funds in order to be considered for admission.
If you meet the admission requirements and can pay the tuition (or you believe you can qualify for a student loan to cover the tuition), then the next step is to attend an Information Session in your area. At the information session, you will have the opportunity to connect with one of our TCA recruiters and get more detailed information regarding the training program and application process.
The training is typically offered in four locations: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bridge City, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Pasadena, Texas. The locations may vary depending on our need for tankermen in each area.
The training program lasts for four months.
It depends on the company’s need for Tank-Barge PIC's. At a minimum, the program will run three times/year.
The Tank-Barge Pic’s role is critical to our nation’s petroleum and chemical shipping industry. The tankerman serves as the person-in-charge of critical operations, with responsiblity for protecting the environment by ensuring the safe transfer of petrochemicals to barges. Tank-Barge Pic’s must be certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. There are two types of Tank-Barge Pic’s: boat Tank-Barge Pic’s and shore Tank-Barge Pic's. PSC only employs shore Tank-Barge Pic’s who live at home and travel to various work sites.
A Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC) from the U.S. Coast Guard is required to work as a Tank-Barge Pic. To obtain a MMC, the Coast Guard requires that you receive extensive, documented, hands-on training in transfer operations and demonstrate competency with these duties. You must also complete Coast Guard-approved courses in cargo handling and tank barge firefighting. Furthermore, only a qualified company such as PSC Group can formally nominate an applicant for a MMC.
You must also have a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) to work as a tankerman.
VISIT TSA.GOV to learn more about TWIC requirements.
Most employees are paid every two weeks. The pay dates vary by work group/site location.
Tank-Barge PIC's follow a rotating “on call” schedule,24 hours a day for 6 consecutive days, followed by 3 days off. During the 6-day on-call period, they may be dispatched at any time, day or night, in rotation. While on call, work is typically spaced out with rest time between assignments, depending on job demands and dispatch timing. While there is no guarantee of a set number of hours or overtime, tankermen typically work an average of 50 hours per week. Actual hours can vary depending on demand and scheduling.
Days 1–3: Orientation (company policies, safety, procedures)
Days 4–9: On-the-job training with a Tankering instructor during real cargo operations
Day 10: Decision day, students decide whether to continue in the program
Continued Training (After trial period)
Program Completion
Day 120 (approx.): Students who complete the program in good standing will:
There is a high demand for U.S. Coast Guard-certified Tank-Barge PIC's to meet the needs of the petrochemical industry. Graduates who have successfully completed the TCA training program and received the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) may qualify for Tank-Barge PIC job opportunities with PSC and other companies. Eligibility for continued employment with PSC after graduation depends upon the student’s overall performance during training, his/her level of competence at graduation, and PSC’s staffing needs. This is not an offer or guarantee of continued employment.
It depends on the company’s needs in each geographic area at the time of enrollment. Trainings are offered in the Southeast Louisiana Region (Baton Rouge and New Orleans), the Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles), Corpus Christi, and Houston.
No. Program participants are responsible for their own housing and living expenses during the training.
It depends on the type of felony and when you were convicted. There are a number of convictions that would disqualify you from receiving a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
VISIT TSA.GOV TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TWIC REQUIREMENTS
The U.S. Coast Guard will also conduct a criminal background check as part of the application process for a Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC), which is required for work as a Tank-Barge Pic. For more information, click the link below or call the National Maritime Helpdesk at 1-888-427-5662.
VISIT ECFR.GOV TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MMC REQUIREMENTS
Click the link below to sign up to be notified via email for news and announcements regarding Tankering Career Academy training classes.
Our Tankering Career Academy (TCA) info sessions begin with a presentation covering the admission criteria, tuition and student loans, training curriculum and schedule, salary and benefits, job duties, and more. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to talk with a TCA Recruiter or TCA Instructor to ask questions and get started with the admission process.
There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required. Select the date/location and then click REGISTER. We can accept up to 100 registrations per info session. Additional Info Session dates may be scheduled until all positions have been filled.
If you watch the virtual info session, your attendance will be valid for 1 year. Please contact tca@pscgroup.com to submit proof of funding.
Register