Houston College Creating Training Center for Entry-Level Oil and Gas Workers
Drilling Contractor magazine describes the planned facility as "a rig safety and skills laboratory."
Houston Community College is establishing the HCC Global Oil and Gas Drilling Training Center to provide training for entry-level oil and gas rig crews, according to a report posted Aug. 30 on the website of the International Association of Drilling Contractors' Drilling Contractor magazine. The report describes it as "a rig safety and skills laboratory called RIG-ONE' " that will "replicate the essential components of the rig work environment for offshore roustabouts/onshore roughnecks."
"RIG-ONE will be located at HCC’s Northeast Campus, where a two-week, hands-on program will provide trainees with experience in working around cranes, forklifts and air tuggers to acquire skills in safe pipe and cargo handling," the report states. "Other skill areas include material handling, tank cleaning, confined space entry, routine maintenance and hand tool skills. Basic first aid, firefighting, station bills and muster, lock-out/tag-out and other safety procedures, such as helicopter underwater evacuation training and safe driving, will be integrated as well. Trainees will confront daily, real-life situations requiring aptitude, knowledge and skills."
According to the report, Dr. Lee Hunt, IADC president emeritus, is a strategic advisor of RIG-ONE, which will present its first classes in spring 2014.