Entry-Level Floor-Hand (Roughneck) Program

Program Details

This fourteen day intensive hands-on course certifies and prepares students to work on oil rigs at the entry level. It is a physically demanding program that provides a practical, hands-on, challenging training enviroment. Students acquire the mental and physical conditioning with an emphasis on safety. The course content includes knowledge and skills in rig components, hoisting systems, rotary, kelly, the circulating system and safety procedures.

The Western Canadian drilling and service industry has had consistent activity over the past several years. This activity is driving labour demand and the need for properly trained entry level workers. APTC has supplied hundreds of trained personnel to the western drilling and well servicing industry over the past seven years. APTC and its graduates are highly regarded by industry. Successful completion of the Floor-Hand course creates strong employment opportunity.

Advantages of Program

  • Great demand for trained personnel in an industry recognized course
  • Promotions can be achieved readily by dedicated work ethic
  • Benefits packages
  • First step to offshore and international careers in oil and gas

Program Prerequisites

Atlantic Petroleum Training College (APTC) requires the following information for enrollment:

  • Application for admission including references.
  • School transcripts or apply as a mature student. You must be at least 21 or older to apply as a mature student.
  • Completed Fitness Certification Form.
  • A driver's abstract from Province of current Driver's License.
  • Students must pay a non-refundable $100.00 deposit (cash, debit, VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque or money order made payable to Atlantic Petroleum Training College) to guarantee a seat in the Floorhand (Roughneck) course. This $100 dollars will be deducted from the tuition cost.
  • All the above documentation MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO desired course date before a student can be considered registered.
  • A current resume is recommended, before or during the course.
  • Students are supplied the following:
      - hardhat (CSA approved),
      - coveralls,
      - safety glasses (CSA approved),
      - work gloves
  • Students must provide:
      - steel-toed boots (CSA approved),
      - appropriate weather gear.

Other Considerations

  • The oil industry contractors recommend students have a valid driver’s license with air brake endorsement. APTC will provide Nova Scotia air brake manuals and course guidance.
  • St. John Ambulance provides the 2-day Standard First Aid course.
  • H2S Alive is provided by Survival Systems Training Ltd. on site.

Salary Guide and Cost:

Entry-Level Floor Hands working on oilrigs in Western Canada can earn $23.90 per hour as of January 2010. The vast majority of these workers work 84 or more hours per week and are paid time and a half after 40 hours.

Training costs - $2900.00 for the 14-day Floor-Hand program.

After three-four weeks of employment in Alberta tuition and placement costs can be recovered.

Program Schedule

Note: Program start dates are tentative to sufficient enrollment.

Start Date

June 2, 2010
June 16, 2010
June 30, 2010
July 14, 2010
July 28, 2010
August 11, 2010
August 25, 2010
September 8, 2010
September 22, 2010
October 6, 2010
October 20, 2010
November 3, 2010
November 17, 2010
December 1, 2010
December 15, 2010

Completion Date

June 15, 2010
June 29, 2010
July 13, 2010
July 27, 2010
August 10, 2010
August 24, 2010
September 7, 2010
September 21, 2010
October 5, 2010
October 19, 2010
November 2, 2010
November 16, 2010
November 30, 2010
December 14, 2010
December 28, 2010

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