Rig Technician
Trades & Technology
Training:
Red Deer College offers the Rig Technician program, one of the many apprenticeship training options available for students.
Apprenticeship is a career option that involves both classroom and on-the-job training. To learn the skills required of a Rig Technician in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, a person must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice.
Learn:
The term of apprenticeship for Rig Technician is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training for each year, 4 weeks (30 hours per week) of technical training each year.
Employment Opportunities:
Rig Technicians are employed by drilling contractors, who own and operate oil and gas well drilling rigs and who contract with oil producers to drill wells. Work schedules for Rig Technicians vary with industry demand, but an example of a Rig Technician’s work schedule is two weeks of work followed by one week off from work.
Rig Technicians may be promoted to Rig Managers, or to management positions within the drilling industry. Experienced Rig Technicians may also be hired by specialist companies for occupations such as mud technician, directional driller, or for service occupations. For example, they may go on to drilling-related equipment sales, employment as rig training providers, occupations in rig regulation, occupations in rig supervision, oil and gas well supervision or rig safety, or various other career paths.
Continue Your Learning:
If you have a valid Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
Faculty and Staff Contact Information
Wayne Sehlin - Lead Instructor
Phone: 403-356-4919 Email: rig@rdc.ab.ca
Tuition 2011/2012:
Class Length Tuition Other Fees Student Pays
4 Weeks $380 $125 $505
Residence:
Rent includes all furnishings and most utilities, including cable. On-campus housing works on a first-come, first-serve basis and requires a $20 application fee. To learn more about living on-campus call 403-342-3257, or Glenice Grover, Residence Manager, at 403-342-3238.
Parking:
Student parking fees range from $48 to $56 depending on your choice of lots. This fee allows students to park during the fall, winter and spring terms from September 1 through to June 30. There is no charge for parking in the unreserved lots C-D-M-N-R-Q during the summer months (July 1 to August 31).
You may reserve a parking spot by submitting the completed application form along with the appropriate fee to the Cashiers Office. Payment must be received before the application will be processed. Our 2300 reserved stalls are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Cafeteria:
A full range of food service is available, including short order, full meals, sandwich, deli, take out, and a great variety of baked goods daily. Our food services include Tim Horton’s, The Library Cafe which serves Starbuck’s, Red’s Cafe, The Patch, Upper Crust, Grab ‘n’ Go, The Far Side Bar & Grill, and The Lift.
Notes:
Financial assistance is available to apprentices in a variety of forms: Several scholarships are available from Red Deer College, the Federal Government and the Provincial Government. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) while attending technical training. Based on need, financial assistance may be available to apprentices while attending training through Alberta Works – Apprenticeship Grant. More information and applications are available at the Student Funding & Awards, call 403-342-3254 or financialaid@rdc.ab.ca.
Curriculum:
Rig Technician Apprenticeship will take three periods of training. For information about the training, check out the course outline on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training site http://www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca/
Rig Technician 2011/2012 intakes are:
1st Period
Mar 12 - April 5, 2012
2nd Period
April 9 - May 4, 2012
3rd Period
May 14 - June 8, 2012