Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
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<strong>Essential</strong> <strong>Skills</strong> and the Northern Oil and Gas Workforce Final Report and Resource Guide<br />
Day 2 SESSION 1:<br />
AKITA DRILLING<br />
Presenter: John Pahl (Akita Drilling)<br />
Overview<br />
John Pahl, Northern Contract Manager for Akita Drilling described how the drilling industry<br />
operates in the north and described the components of training for work in the drilling<br />
industry that are considered to be critical. He discussed some training and employment<br />
challenges and described how Akita has met those challenges.<br />
Akita Background:<br />
Akita has 850 employees of which 15% are Aboriginals. Akita estimates that it costs $10,000<br />
to train a rig worker: therefore, there is incentive to retain skilled workers. In order to work<br />
on drilling rigs, employees must be able to adjust to a two week on and 21 days off schedule.<br />
In addition, rig workers are required to be physically fit, alcohol and drug free, and able to<br />
work in an almost exclusively male environment that is loud and demanding. Drilling is also<br />
seasonal employment (four months per year) which can be unappealing for those seeking full<br />
time, year-round employment.<br />
Because of these conditions and demands, there is a very high turnover in the industry and in<br />
addition, the eight month down time in drilling activity in the north results in skill erosion and<br />
a lack of opportunity for advancement. Akita is countering these challenges by:<br />
• offering a lump sum pay-out at the end of the four month season, a sum which is<br />
increased every year to encourage employees to return.<br />
• offering cross-cultural training to make Aboriginal workers to feel more comfortable on<br />
the rigs.<br />
• assigning an experienced worker to mentor and assist a new worker – this close<br />
association builds confidence in the new employee, especially during the critical first<br />
week on the job<br />
• moving northern workers down south during the “off season” to provide paid<br />
employment on operating rigs.<br />
• doing everything it can to be the employer of choice<br />
• becoming part of the communities in which they work and giving something back<br />
• focussing on the young people in the region; spreading the message to finish school<br />
and to stay clean<br />
• providing a simulated rig experience at trade fairs to young people interested in<br />
drilling jobs<br />
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