A new group of graduates in Calgary will have many employment options in the near future, as they have just completed a special training program aimed at helping immigrants to find work in the oil and gas industry.
This year 16 new graduates completed the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society’s oil and gas training program, which has been up and running for nearly a decade thanks to hefty support from powerful companies within the sector who are doing all they can to fight labour shortages. Already, over 68 positions are on the table for the new graduates as employers brace themselves for an upturn in demand.
“Every one of these grads we want to hire, but it’s a drop in the bucket for what we are going to need,” said Ensign Energy Services’ Cindy Hames, who has been involved with the program at the CCIS since its inception.
The course lasts 15 weeks, and is aimed at showing newcomers to the region that a career in the oil and gas sector is more than a short-term gig. The opportunities now are extensive, with starting salaries in the range of $50,000 annually.
“The future looked bright in the oil and gas industry,” said new graduate Shiva Tamana, a 34-year-old originally from Nepal, who chose to relocate to Calgary from Toronto after hearing about the opportunities available. “I am so proud to be part of it, and thankful to be in Canada.”
Source: Calgary Herald