Drillers sought for front lines - By SAMARA CYGMAN, The Calgary Sun
Cindy Soderstrom, research co-ordinator for Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors, says its fleet grew from 750 rigs to 850 this year.
'We see every year a real shortage of skilled personnel in the winter. We're in a real crunch right now,' she says.
The best way to get into the industry is to take the Floorhand Training Program through the Petroleum Industry Training Service (www.pits.ca) to learn the rig operation and safety practices necessary to be a competent worker.
Starting as a leasehand, employees can expect to advance to floorhand, motorhand,, derrickhand and then driller.
Leasehands perform general labour and maintenance tasks around the rig site.
'Each rig operates 24 hours a day -- typically there will be a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift and a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift,' says Soderstrom.