Boot Camp Offering Oilfield Training-Canada

A local man has begun offering a unique oil patch training program, geared towards teaching young people what it’s like to work in the oil and gas industry.

The day-long boot camp is an entry-level oil field orientation and screening program, targeting young adults ages 18-25, but any who are interested are welcomed to sign up.

Patchprep Bootcamp President Dallas Letersky, a 21-year industry veteran, said the course launched two weeks ago after two years of development and revisions.

“It’s unique in the sense that it’s a general orientation program that also covers the personal financing and mental health aspects of the job,” said Letersky.

“We want to offer a means for inexperienced people who are considering a career in oil and gas to go through the workshop and learn exactly what they can expect whether they like it or not.”

Two thirds of students in attendance were female for Letersky’s first camp, a point he highlighted due to a high ratio of male workers typically seen in the fields.

Letersky said his four-part boot camp goes over with its students, first how oil and gas is extracted, then brings in Personal Finance and Wealth Manager Sherri Hunter to teach students how to efficiently and effectively save money.

“Rather than make the same mistakes as all the previous generations, she tells them to invest their money in TFSA’s and RRSP’s,” said Letersky.

Eric Lee, a mental health and addictions psychologist, then talks about the effects of the job on a person’s mental health and morale, followed by Letersky closing the seminar with a “Survival Guide” to living on the road with the same crews for weeks at a time.

“Hopefully, when they start making all this money, they don’t go and party it all away,” said Letersky.

Letersky said, based on the assumption of the industry jump-starting again after the federal election, companies are going to face prominent issues with being short-staffed, following the retirement of many experienced workers or the refusal of others to return to the field.

“The Baby Boomers are retiring and don’t want to be in the field anymore,” said Letersky. “Personally, I don’t blame them. They did their time for crown and country.”

Furthermore, issues regarding training costs are due to become apparent, as new “frac hands” cost between $25,000 and $30,000 a head to train, according to Letersky.

Oilfield work also boasts high turnover rates, seeing rates upwards of 50 per cent during good years.

“Nobody prepares you for the mud up to your knees, 15-hour work days or living in camps calling an eight-by-10 room home for two-to-three weeks at a time,” said Letersky.

“If you don’t have the physical, mental and emotional fortitude and coping mechanisms—that’s why a lot of them get into alcohol and drugs.”

Despite the challenges, Letersky said the allure of good pay, adventure, challenge and outdoor work continues to draw folks into the fields.

For interested businesses curious about the camp, Letersky said the first client they send to him he will teach for free, as a type of trial run. Subsequent students will cost $150 a head to attend.

More information regarding the camp can be found on their website.

Source: Daily Hearld Tribune