Rig Technician Apprenticeship Program (available to Savanna Drilling Canada employees) What is it?  The Rig Technician Apprenticeship program combines both theory and practical skills to help you work toward becoming a Rig Technician 3 Journeyperson. There are three levels to the program with each one covering a variety of topics and skills, as well as increasing the degree of responsibility and leadership. The requirements of each level must be completed to become a Rig Technician 3 Journeyperson and ultimately advance to management positions. The program levels include: Rig Technician 1 (Motorhand) Rig Technician 2 (Derrickhand) Rig Technician 3 (Driller)
Graduates of the Rig Technician Apprenticeship program are able to: - take responsibility for personal safety and the safety of others
- supervise, coach and train apprentices and Floorhands
- perform the duties of a Motorhand, Derrickhand or Driller
- perform assigned tasks in accordance with quality and production standards required by the industry
 To become a certified Journeyperson, apprentices must learn theory, pass all examinations and complete on-the-job training. The program takes three years to complete with each level consisting of four 30 hour weeks of class time and a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training. Training hours do not have to be completed before attending school, but both school (including exams) and on-the-job training must be completed before advancing to the next level.
An example training schedule could include the following: June – March: after being promoted to motorhand, register for the rig technician apprenticeship program and work in the field to accumulate on-the-job-training hours April – May: attend training classes at medicine hat college. receive a training wage of four hours per day at your current wage level. take final exam June: Resume working in the field. If you have successfully passed all classes and exams, you may be promoted to Derrickhand and start accumulating on-the-job training for this position before returning to classes again in April. Where?The theory component of the Rig Technician program takes place at a post-secondary institution – usually a college or technical institute. Institutions in Alberta offering the program include: If you are located in British Columbia or Saskatchewan, there are institutions there that you may also attend; however, their courses are based more on demand. Who needs to attend?Any employee of Savanna Energy Services Corp. who is currently working as a Motorhand, Derrickhand or Driller must enrol in the Rig Technician Apprenticeship program. Lease/Floorhands do not need to register. Registration If you have not registered for the program, please contact Toni Sloan (Nisku Drilling office) at 780 955 1351 or tsloan@savannaenergy.com. How Savanna can help? Savanna Energy Services Corp. will pay you a training wage whilst attending Apprenticeship classes. The training wage is four hours per day paid at your current position wage. A subsistence allowance may also be available.
You are responsible for paying your tuition, books, parking, exam challenge costs etc.; however, upon completion of the program, Savanna will reimburse you for any of the mentioned expenses. Tuition and book expenses do vary depending on the post-secondary institution you attend. Approximate expenses are upward of $700 per program level. Scholarships and bursaries may be available from the institution you are attending. Expense Reimbursement To be reimbursed for your expenses, send all your original receipts to Toni Sloan at the Nisku Drilling office. For more information, contact Toni at 780 955 1351. What does the program get you?At the end of the three year program you will be a certified Rig Technician 3 Journeyperson. Rig Technicians may be promoted to Rig Managers or to management positions within the drilling industry. Experienced Rig Technicians may also be hired by specialist companies for occupations such as mud technician or directional driller, or for service occupations such as rig training, rig safety or equipment sales. In addition to becoming a Rig Technician, you will be paid a Rig Technician Premium per level completed. This premium is paid in addition to the CAODC wage. The hourly premiums paid are: - Motorhand: $1.00 per hour
- Derrickhand: $1.50 per hour
- Driller: $2.00 per hour
Red Seal Program You may also choose to take the Interprovincial Exam held during the third level of the apprenticeship. If successful, you will be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. This ensures recognition of your journeyperson certification throughout Canada without further examination and is recognised as the interprovincial standard of excellence. Additional financial benefits associated with the Red Seal program include apprenticeship incentive and completion grants, tax credits and a tool deduction for any tools necessary for your trade. Useful Links | 
