OK College Vernon Campus to Offer Funding and Training for LNG

To accommodate the demand for skilled trade workers in the LNG sector, Okanagan College, Vernon Campus, will introduce additional training programs and funding. It's a four-week natural gas training program with tuition and support available to eligible participants beginning on February 2nd.

The objective is to provide the Workers in the Natural Gas (WiNG) program with specific skills and certifications required for those preparing to seek work in the liquefied natural gas industry.

“The College has joined six other B.C. post secondary institutions to offer the energy literacy and certifications needed to help fill the projected demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers in the LNG sector,” said Dr. Dennis Silvestrone, Director of Continuing Studies and Corporate Development at the College.

WiNG program students will acquire nine industry certificates during the four weeks including, Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level one, OFA Transportation Endorsement, H2S Alive, Petroleum Safety Training; General Safety Information, WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, and Fall Protection and Confined Space.

“The province is currently estimating thousands of new positions will be created in direct and indirect jobs related to operating LNG plants,” said Silvestrone. “The WiNG program is a great opportunity for Okanagan College to build labour market skills and assist students interested in finding employment in an industry poised to have a positive impact on the provincial economy.”

Operations in natural gas, technology and communications, and career planning are all areas that will be covered in the Natural Gas Industry specific training.

In addition, sessions on resume writing and interview skills are included. The program will fun from February 2nd until the 27th. Classes are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Funding for the WiNG program is provided by the Federal government through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund. Eligible unemployed or underemployed participants must meet certain criteria, which include being legally entitled to work in Canada, as well as obtain B.C. residency status. Moreover, eligible candidates must not be enrolled as either a high school or post-secondary student.

For more information on the program, additional details on participant eligibility or to apply, contact Heather Flood at Hflood@okanagan.bc.ca.