Northern Lights College Donation
October 12, 2009
Future oil and gas field operators in the Fort Nelson area will have access to the training they need thanks to Finning’s recent donation of two natural gas compressor driver engines to Northern Lights College in Fort Nelson, B.C.
The two engines, a 3406 and a 3304, are worth about $70,000, including shipping and crating costs.
Mark Balaski, Finning’s Peace Region and Prince George general manager said better-trained gas operators will be a boon to Finning customers.
“We wanted to have our name there to show our support,” he said.
Stacy Smith, trades and apprenticeship chair at the college, says the engines will be used to help prepare residents in Fort Nelson and the surrounding area for successful careers in the oil and gas industry.
“This is a great training tool for the students as they can learn key operations of wellhead control in a safe and controlled environment before experiencing it on the worksite,” Smith said.
The Oil and Gas Field Operators program is an 18-week pilot project offered through a partnership between the Horn River Basin Shale Gas Producers Group and NLC. It’s designed to provide Fort Nelson and area residents with the necessary training to work in the oil and gas industry. The first students will graduate from the course in January 2010.