Training

General Skills

A high school diploma or equivalent is a minimum employment requirement by oilsands companies. Exceptions are rare but may occur if an individual has specific training or strong relevant experience. Local contractors and business owners may require a high school diploma or equivalent. This is becoming a basic requirement for employment.

Completion of a certificate, diploma or degree from recognized educational program is an increasing requirement. Few employers offer occupational training. An aptitude and/or skill test may be required for pre-employment screening as well as entry in a training program. Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is required by most industry-leading companies and contractors.

Educational requirements for different jobs vary, for example, engineers need post-secondary, and may also need professional designation.

Visit Resources for a list of colleges and universities in Alberta. The local college is Keyano College.

Safety

In addition to job skills, safety training may be required by some industries. Although employers may offer some safety training, up-to-date certification can enhance employment opportunities. The following is a list of safety training certificates that are commonly required in specific industries. Note that regardless of the industry you’re working in, if your job takes you onto an oil sands site, you will be required to have your Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) and Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) certification.

• Oil & Gas
  • Confined Space Entry/Monitor
  • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
  • Fall Protection
  • First Aid and CPR
  • H2S Alive
  • Oil Sands Safety Association certification (OSSA)
  • Safe Trenching, Excavation and Ground Disturbance
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Service & Retail
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Food Handling Safety
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Construction
  • Aerial Work Platform
  • Confined Space Entry/Monitor
  • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
  • Fall Protection
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Forklift and Bobcat Operator Certification
  • H2S Alive
  • Hoisting and Rigging/Crane Operator Training
  • Safe Trenching, Excavation and Ground Disturbance
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Forestry
  • Bear Awareness & Safety
  • Chainsaw Safety
  • Fire Watch/Fire Safety
  • First Aid and CPR
  • H2S Alive
  • Snowmobile/ATV Rider Safety
• Transportation
  • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Flagperson training
  • Forklift and Bobcat Operator Certification
  • H2S Alive
  • Professional Drivers Improvement Course (PDIC)
  • Roadbuilders Safety Training System (RSTS)
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Health
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Local Training

• Aerial Work Platform – This is a one-day workshop covers such topics as employer and worker responsibility, emergency procedures, and safety precautions.
  • Canadian and Industrial Construction Training
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• Bear Awareness & Safety – Safety course for those working in remote areas, who need to be aware of bear dangers and how to avoid encounters.
  • Safety Now
• Chainsaw Safety – Courses vary in length and content, but may be up to three days long.
  • Safety Now
• Confined Space Entry/Monitor – This is a four-hour computer-based course for workers who are required to enter and/or monitor entry into confined spaces.
  • Alberta Construction and Safety Association
  • Athabasca Training and Medical Services
  • Canadian and Industrial Construction Training
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
• Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) – All workers on oil sands sites and all construction sites in Alberta require this safety training. It is a CD-ROM based course developed by the Alberta Construction Safety Association that takes no longer than five hours.
  • Fort McMurray Construction Association – online registration for CSTS
  • Franco Job
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Keyano College – Fort McMurray
• Fall Protection – This one day course provides information on generic fall protection systems.
  • Alberta Construction and Safety Association
  • Athabasca Training and Medical Services
  • Canadian and Industrial Construction Training
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• Fire Watch/Fire Safety – Courses vary in length and content depending on the service provider.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• First Aid and CPR – Depending on the level of training, this course takes eight to 16 hours.
  • Athabasca Training and Medical Services
  • Electrical Industry Training Centre
  • St. John Ambulance
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• Flagperson training – This one-day course is designed for those involved in day-to-day operations where workers and the general public are exposed to hazards created by vehicles and/or equipment.
  • Alberta Construction and Safety Association
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
• Food Handling Safety – Food Safe is a food handling course that is offered to all food service workers in a commercial, industrial or institutional setting. Contact Alberta Health Services for a course near you.
  • Alberta Health Services
• Forklift and Bobcat Operator Certification – Courses vary in length and content depending on the service provider, but generally at least a full day.
  • Athabasca Training and Medical Services
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• H2S Alive –This one-day course is intended for all workers in the petroleum industry who could be exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), or sour gas. It is a required course for people who work in the field in the oil industry.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Stedford Safety Training
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• Hoisting and Rigging/Crane Operator Safety Training – Safety courses vary in length and content depending on the service provider.
  • All Canadian Training Institute Inc.
  • Athabasca Training and Medical Services
• Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) Training – Initiated by the local oil sands companies, OSSA training is the agreed local industry standard. All workers on the major sites must have this training.
  • Alberta BC Safety Inc.
  • Canadian and Industrial Construction Training
  • Fort McMurray Construction Association
  • Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) –the local organization that provides OSSA training. Start with their website. Others may provide the training, but it is through OSSA.
• Professional Drivers Improvement Course (PDIC) –One of many different driving courses available promoting safety and awareness. This specific course takes 8 hours.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
• Roadbuilders Safety Training System (RSTS) – RSTS is a CD-ROM based course that is focused on the roadbuilding industry.
  • Alberta Construction and Safety Association
• Safe Trenching, Excavation and Ground Disturbance – This one-day course is for operators, supervisors, and management to pla safe trenching and excavating where worker entry is required.
  • Alberta Construction and Safety Association
• Snowmobile/ATV Rider Safety – One-day course for basic safety and driver skills for ATVs.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Stedford Safety Training
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods – Intended for workers involved in the transportation and handling of dangerous goods within industry operations. Half-day course.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Stedford Safety Training
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – Canada’s national hazard communication standard, this course takes half a day.
  • HSE Integrated Ltd.
  • Stedford Safety Training
  • Western Canada Fire and First Aid

Also, talk to associations/unions or local service providers to see if they offer safety training.

• Local employment service providers (no fee for eligible participants)
• Alberta Building Trade Unions (for members)

Obtain certification before coming to Fort McMurray

• Alberta Construction and Safety Association or call toll-free at 1-800-661-2272
• Enform – used to be called Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS)
• Portage College – Lac La Biche

This page will also have a drop down menu with information categories:

– Alta Gov’t Programs

– General Skills

– Safety

– Various Industries