Sask DLC oil and gas placements give 37 students hands-on industry experience

By Your Southwest Media Group

Over the past two school years, 37 Grade 10 to 12 students gained real-world experience in Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry through online high school courses with work placements offered by Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC).

Through Sask DLC's Energy and Mines -- Oil and Gas 20 and 30 courses, students learn how oil and natural gas are found, produced and used in everyday life. The elective courses combine 50 hours of theory with hands-on time in the field, giving students a balanced introduction to safety, operations and environmental practices.

"Through Sask DLC's partnership with industry leaders in the energy sector, young people across our province are able to explore future career opportunities in an industry that is vital to our economy, while earning credits toward graduation," Minister Responsible for Sask DLC Everett Hindley said. "These courses support many communities by ensuring students are well-equipped to pursue their chosen profession at home."

For student Miciah Willms, the placement changed how he sees his future. "When you see it in person and stand up close, it makes it so much easier to understand how different everything is," Willms said. "This has helped me. His field would look like a good fit, and I have had the chance to discover the skills I need to make it a good fit."

Jordan Ma, Vice President of Production at Whitecap Resources, said the company helped build the program with the next generation in mind. "We built this program to become the next great developer of people," Ma said, citing the curiosity and enthusiasm students bring. Whitecap, along with Strathcona Resources and Cenovus Energy, provided industry support and a steering committee.

The program, which launched in the 2024-25 school year, already has a waitlist for 2025-26. Each course is capped at 25 students. More participating companies may be added to increase availability.

A new course in the Energy and Mines curriculum is now open for registration at www.saskDLC.ca. Students are encouraged to contact their school counsellor or academic advisor for scheduling and guidance.