WorldWide Drilling Resource

52 JULY 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® One of a Kind Drilling and Blasting Program Adapted from Information by Fleming College Anyone working in the drilling and blasting industry will tell you it is full of daily challenges. Those who are able to think on their feet, use problem solving, analytical, and creative thinking skills will soon discover the drilling and blasting industry can put all of those skills to work. When searching for education and training in the field, there are a great num- ber of options. Fleming College in Ontario, Canada, offers a two-year Resources Drilling and Blasting program with 80% of the program consisting of practical learning sessions taking place in the im- pressive on-campus Parnham Training Centre and off-campus in the field. This unique, practical program offers students the opportunity to work on a full range of drilling equipment in its five serv- ice bays. The specially equipped class- rooms/labs in the facility enhance the drilling education, with everything from a drilling simulator to hands-on drilling activ- ities. Classroom sessions are comple- mented by hands-on drilling labs, including work in local quarries. Fleming grads are exempt from tak- ing the mandatory Ontario Ministry of the Environment 10-day Well Constructed Course. Ontario Regulation 903 requires successful completion of this training for new well technicians. Fleming's Resources Drilling and Blasting program is the only one of its kind in the world! It offers a rare combi- nation of technical training and hands- on experience. Employers from around the world seek out graduates of this program. They know Fleming graduates have a good foundation of theory and practice, as well as excellent transferable skills to draw upon for any challenge in the workplace. You've got to love working outside, enjoy hands-on work, be willing to oper- ate equipment, and be independently minded. Opportunities exist for both men and women - more brains than brawn is required to be competent in the field. Some of the personality traits and skills essential to your success include: ) Good motor skills, physical health, and flexibility (particularly regard- ing work hours) ) Interpersonal skills ) Analytical and creative thinking ) Mechanical aptitude ) Ability to obtain a commercial driver's license According the faculty at the college, the requests for graduates by industry often exceeds the number of students completing the program. Upon graduation, students could be hired as drilling professionals or helpers working in rural, remote, or populated areas. At least ten global industries are open to graduates including: geotechni- cal, environmental, blasthole drilling, blast- ing, mineral exploration/mining (surface and underground), horizontal directional drilling, geothermal (program covers an introduction to the geothermal industry), water well, as well as oil and gas indus- tries. For more information, visit worldwidedrillingresource.com