Donor Spotlight

 

Helping RDC Apprentices "Stand Tall"

High Arctic Energy Services donates much-needed derrick

“The biggest challenge our industry faces is lack of a qualified workforce,” says Bruce Thiessen, CEO of High Arctic Energy Services. “Many of the entry-level employees we hire have never seen a rig, let alone been on one.” 

Thanks to a generous donation, the challenge of finding qualified tradespeople is about to get a boost – our students will have access to a 21-metre-high derrick on campus. High Arctic’s $150,000 gift-in-kind will serve as a significant learning tool for many apprenticeship programs, especially the Rig Technician program.

“This derrick played a valuable role in the development of our own workforce,” Thiessen goes on to explain. “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 important training tool for Rig Technician apprentices has a working set of draw works (a mechanism used to lift heavy objects) and winches, along with a custom training platform. The platform is mounted roughly six metres from the ground and also will be used for fall-arrest training. Installation of the derrick – located on the east end of campus outside the Four Centres – began early in June.

“High Arctic’s donation will go a long way in giving our apprentices the learning experience they need to move into the drilling industry,” says Tim Waines, Acting Associate Dean of Trades & Manufacturing Technology. “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.”

Another bonus: an on-site training derrick will allow apprentices to remain on campus. Wayne Sehlin, Rig Technician Lead Instructor, is thrilled that his students can use their time more efficiently: “In the past, some of the students had more training than others, so hauling the entire class off campus meant less time studying for those who already had the training.”

The derrick will assist with learning beyond the Rig Technician program. Students in the Millwright, Electrician, Mechanic and Welder programs will also use the derrick for various training opportunities. Options exist for community learning and custom training as well as rescue training.

Further thanks must go to our partners and donors for their help with the derrick’s installation and operation:  DFI, Roll’n Oilfield Industries Inc., Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd., and Studon Electric & Controls Inc.

About High Arctic High Arctic Energy Services is a provider of specialized oilfield equipment and services. Based in Red Deer, High Arctic has domestic operations throughout western Canada and international operations in Papua New Guinea.