RDC Apprentices to Train on 70 Foot Derrick Donated by High Arctic
Red Deer, June 2, 2011 – RDC students will now be able to train on a 70-foot derrick standing tall on the RDC campus. Thanks to High Arctic Energy Services, their $150,000 gift-in-kind will serve as a relevant and realistic learning tool for learners in many apprenticeship programs, especially the RDC Rig Technician program.
“High Arctic’s donation will go a long way in giving our apprentices the learning experience they need to transition into the drilling industry,” says Tim Waines, Acting Associate Dean of Trades & Manufacturing Technology, RDC. “Any time our students can get their hands dirty on real equipment, especially a derrick for this program, means they’ll be that much more prepared in terms of skills and safety when they’re out in the field.”
“The biggest challenge our industry is facing is lack of a qualified workforce,” says Bruce Thiessen, CEO, High Arctic Energy Services. “Many of the entry level employees we hire have never seen a rig, let alone been on one. This derrick played a valuable role in the development of our own workforce. The fact that RDC has identified additional uses will further benefit our community. High Arctic is extremely pleased that we can contribute to this facility and these programs.”
This imperative training tool for Rig Technician apprentices has a working set of draw works and winches that will be used for training students, along with a custom training platform. The platform will be mounted 20 feet from the ground and will be used for fall arrest training.
The derrick will facilitate learning for more than just those in the Rig Technician program. Other trades will use the derrick for various training opportunities such as Millwright, Electrician, Mechanics, and Welding. Options exist for community learning and custom training as well, including rescue training.
Other partners and donors helping to facilitate the installation and workability of the derrick include Roll’n Oilfield Industries, Group2 Architecture & Engineering, Studon Electric & Controls, and DFI.
Installing the derrick will take place the week of June 6, when it will be placed on the east end of campus outside the Four Centres. For the safety of those in the vicinity of the derrick, an 8-foot fence with barbed wire a top will stand guard around the tall apparatus.
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About BCTL: The development of RDC hinges on significant investments from government, as well as major commitments from community partners, corporations, foundations and individual donors and philanthropists. Over the past few years, private supporters have committed more than $20 million to RDC, helping to expand our programs, our student support by $6 million alone, and our facilities with an additional 200,000 square feet of new learning space.
About RDC: Red Deer College has served the needs of students and the community for more than 45 years. With greater than 75 programs to choose from, we pride ourselves on providing a practical education, in a genuine and sustainable learning environment. Our 7,800 full-time and part-time credit students and more than 13,000 continuing education students are at the core of everything we do. RDC – when you get here you understand.
For more information on RDC, please visit our website: www.rdc.ab.ca
About High Arctic: The Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is a provider of specialized oilfield equipment and services, including drilling, completion and workover operations. Based in Red Deer, Alberta, High Arctic has domestic operations throughout Western Canada and international operations primarily in Papua New Guinea.
For additional information, contact:
Lara Andary, Development Communications Consultant
Building Communities Through Learning
403.342.3374