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Labor Department Crafts Agreement With Oil Companies, Unions To Qualify Apprentices

Oct. 21, 2004
No. 05-22

FAIRBANKS -- Oil companies and trade unions have joined with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train 100 pipeline construction apprentices next month in Fairbanks.

Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray said the November training will prepare construction crews for jobs this winter on North Slope pipeline construction projects.

Pipeline work is to begin in January for heavy oil development in the West Sak oil field and continue through the winter at other slope locations and along the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

“Our goal is to help industry train the next generation of pipeliners,” O’Claray said.

The commissioner said the training project was prompted by the August decision of Conoco-Phillips and BP to initiate the largest heavy oil development program in Alaska history. The project is expected to increase West Sak oil production to 45,000 barrels a day by 2007, with the first heavy oil expected to flow by late 2005.

“Governor Frank Murkowski’s top priority is resource, energy and economic development,” O’Claray added. “That priority certainly includes active participation with the industry as it develops oil and gas resources.

“We want to make sure Alaska companies remain competitive and their workers are safe and productive.”

The labor department is supporting the training program with a $334,000 grant from the State Training and Employment Program, said STEP Administrator Tara Jollie. Oil companies and unions have committed more than $170,000 to the project.

The Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. will administer the grant for the state on behalf of the Alaska Petroleum Joint Crafts Council and members of the North Slope Contractors Association.

Alaska Works is a non-profit corporation representing building and construction trade unions and federally registered union apprenticeship and training programs.

The Fairbanks training has a two-week accelerated schedule.

Instructors experienced in pipeline construction will upgrade the skills of apprentices from Interior and North Slope Alaska and introduce the crews to arctic pipeline construction.

In Week Two, contractors, instructors and trainees will team up to build a 2,000 foot, eight-inch-diameter pipeline at Great Northwest’s Fairbanks equipment and material yard.

The training will provide hands-on experience focused on crew development, safe work practices, quality craftsmanship and environmental awareness.

Pipeline contractors ASRC Energy Services, H.C. Price Company, Norcon Inc., Flowline Alaska, Alyeska Pipeline Services Company, NC Machinery, Airport Rental and Great Northwest Inc. are contributing equipment, a construction yard, materials and training supervision.

Training instructors, tools, supplies, equipment and safety personnel will be provided by four trade unions: Operating Engineers Local 302, Plumbers and Pipefitters 375, Laborers Local 942 and Teamsters Local 959.

O’Claray said the Fairbanks training could provide additional jobs for workers this winter, possibly including North Slope well tie-ins for Norcon, Inc. and projects to upgrade pump stations 1, 2 and 4 of the Trans-Alaska pipeline.

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News Media Contacts:
Tara Jollie, STEP Administrator, 907.269.4660 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907-465-5673

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