Rig Technician

Rig Technicians operate oil and gas drilling rigs. Rig Technician training is available as apprenticeship training only. Apprentices are rig workers who have signed an apprenticeship contract with their employer and with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). If you are employed in this trade and would like to access training, please contact your employer and your local SATCC field consultant. (See below)

Entrance Requirements:

• Individuals must be working in the trade and under the supervision of a certified tradesperson.
• Academic requirements for entry into this trade are not related to high school grade level. High school completion will ensure entry into the trade.
• Individuals who have not completed Grade 12 should contact the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission for an assessment of their qualifications.

Training Requirements:

There are three levels of apprenticeship training:

1. Motorhand – Level One;
2. Derrickhand – Level Two;
3. Driller – Level Three.

Certification is an interprovincial “Red Seal” journeyperson certificate which is recognized in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.

The full program takes 4860 hours (3 years) including 3 three-week training sessions. An apprentice must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1620 hours each year.

Motorhand – Level One

The Rig Technician Motorhand (Level One) regularly maintains drilling rig engines, transmissions, heating systems, diesel electric generators and motors, hydraulic systems and other mechanical equipment; maintains equipment logs and preventative maintenance records; monitors inventories of fuels, oil filters, lubeoils, greases and other service items; participates in rig mobilization and de-mobilization; and may supervise and train floorhands and labourers.

Derrickhand – Level Two

The Rig Technician Derrickhand (Level Two) regularly operates drilling fluid systems and pumps during drilling; mixes fluid chemicals and additives; handles sections of drill string assemblies from a platform on the rig derrick during tripping operations; monitors and records mud flows and volumes and fluid properties ;participates in rig mobilization and demobilization; and includes all of the work performed by a Motorhand (Level One).

Driller – Level Three

The Rig Technician Driller (Level Three) operates the draw-works, rotary equipment and pumps and supervises the assembly of drill strings; ensures that safety and support equipment is functioning properly; monitors and keeps records of the progress of drilling operations; participates in the supervision of mobilization and de-mobilization; is responsible for supervising rig crews; and includes all of the work performed by a Motorhand (Level One) and a Derrickhand (Level Two).

*The content of the technical training components is subject to change without notice.

Scheduled for Warman Campus Mar 22- Apr 9/2010.

Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission

2140 Hamilton St
Regina SK S4P 2E3
Tel: (306) 787-2444
Fax: (306) 787-5105
Toll Free: 1-877-363-0536

Swift Current District Office (306) 778-8945
OR VISIT S.A.T.C.C. WEBSITE