A program first announced at the Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Show this past June has three additional companies partnering with SaskDLC and Teine Energy.
The Energy and Mines – Oil * Gas 20 and 30-level online courses were announced during the Oil & Gas Show by Premier Scott Moe with Teine Energy being the first to come on board at the time. This morning, the provincial government announced via press release that Cenovus Energy, Vermillion Energy, and Whitecap Resources had signed on as well.
"The energy sector is an important part of our province's strong and growing economy - both locally and globally," Minister Responsible for SaskDLC Everett Hindley said in the release. "It is exciting to see Saskatchewan students will be able to learn about the career opportunities that exist here in our province and gain the skills and knowledge they need to have a successful future in the oil and gas industry."
The 20 and 30-level courses will see students take 50 hours of online theory instruction about the industry, safety in oil & gas, and the career paths available in the sector. Then, they will have 50 hours of hands-on learning through a work placement in the industry. The registration for the classes is limited to ensure that all students are able to get the work placement.
The four companies have agreed to provide up to a combined total of $160,000 in funding for the program over two years to help create it and to fund a coordinator position to help with the work placements. In addition to the funding, Teine Energy and Whitecap Resources have agreed to host student work placements.
"Whitecap Resources is very pleased to support this initiative, which will give students an opportunity to gain an understanding about the oil and gas sector that provides economic prosperity and energy security to the Province of Saskatchewan and the entire country, and in turn, further economic security of individuals who choose to work in the industry," said Grant Fagerham, President and CEO of Whitecap Resources, in the written release.