It was an exciting day on the Fort St. John campus on September 3, as the first-ever cohort of Field Operator Specialist Hydrocarbon Resources students attended their program orientation.
Northern Lights College (NLC), in partnership with Tourmaline, Canada's largest natural gas producer, developed this pilot program to prepare workers for the in-demand and well-paying jobs of the hydrocarbon industry. The pilot program is being offered through the NLC Continuing Education department.
"After a year and a half of working with Tourmaline in close partnership, we are delighted to launch this new Field Operations Specialist Hydrocarbon Resources pilot program as a direct result of being asked to fill a big gap in training in the industry," said Tara Hyland-Russell, Vice President of Academics and Research for NLC. "We are proud to partner with Tourmaline and be a training provider in the Northeast, for the Northeast."
Representatives from NLC and Tourmaline stand with the first cohort of students for the Filed Operations Specialist Hydrocarbon Resources pilot program during a tour of the NLC Oil and Gas Simulation Training Facility.
The curriculum was developed by NLC instructor, Eleanor Vokes, and Tourmaline employees, Lee Wizniuk, Northeast BC Central Productions Superintendent, and Erwin Kraeleman, Productions System Foreman. Between the three of them, they bring 131 years of combined industry experience to the program.
Rod Cork, NLC Dean of Trades and Apprenticeships, emphasized the unique opportunity this program offers students, who will benefit learning from all that experience. He's been anticipating the start of the program for a while now.
"It feels good to finally be at a place where we're in the classroom with students," he said. "The rework of field operations training at NLC has been a six- to eight-year journey. A partner like Tourmaline, who really shares the vision and sees the need and has been so incredibly supportive along the way it's been great."
Lee Wizniuk attended the orientation on behalf of Tourmaline and said this pilot program will greatly benefit the industry.
"It's been a long time coming. We really focused on bringing this program into the 21st century and reflecting the modern, innovative, and technologically advanced operations of today's oil and gas industry. It's a very fulfilling program," he said. "These kids are going to love it and they're going into the workforce with the skills and knowledge to protect themselves and everybody they work with."
The initial cohort consists of 10 students from Fort St. John and communities in Alberta. Fort St. John student, Joshua Stadler, previously worked as a welder's helper, but really only spent time in the shop yard and never out in the field. He's looking forward to getting into field operations.
"Operating seems like a really good gig, and there was an opportunity, so I went for it," he said.
