Overview:

Doug Anguish, Project Manager Northern Pipeline Projects and President of External Solutions described some of the training programs delivered by the various pipeline trades. He focussed on programs of particular relevance to northern workers who would like to enter trades training and emphasized the range of trades involved in pipeline construction.

Northern Pipeline Projects was created to:

• Provide people with information about pipelines, from the perspective of those who actually build pipelines.
• Network and build enduring relationships with people, organizations, first nations, communities, and all those who consider themselves to be stakeholders in the construction of pipelines.
• Promote the value and quality received when utilizing organized contractors, and their cooperative construction approach with the four craft unions that build pipelines.
• Pay particular proactive attention to Canada’s north where pipeline construction will have a significant impact on local economies.
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of training that is specific to pipeline construction.

Training Specific to Pipeline Construction:

Organized training that is specific to pipeline construction is within the mandate of the four Craft Unions that have supplied the skilled worker pool for construction of virtually all of Canada’s mainline transmission system. Training is regularly scheduled at a number of permanent training locations across Canada. Training ranges from very basic pre-employment to highly technical state of the art. There are four general categories into which training can be grouped:

• welding
• equipment operators
• professional drivers
• skilled labour.

Instructors, curriculum and facilities are provided by the unions, and the Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada is often an active participant in providing equipment and consultative advice. Distance education technology and mobility of training programs are available in almost all instances.