TCTC Strategy Center receives training award for pipeline project efforts
The Strategy Center, a division of Tri County Technology Center, received the CBITS/PACE 2014 Outstanding Training Activity Award on April 25. The ceremony was held at the Tulsa Technology Center Lemley Campus. Accepting the award for The Strategy Center was president, Larry Trash, and directors of business development, Tonya Foreman and Tara Gotwalt.
Enbridge Energy Company Inc., a Canadian corporation that has become a major contributor to the development of North America’s energy infrastructure and operates the world’s longest crude oil and liquids pipeline system in Canada and the United States, was hired to work on the Flanagan South Pipeline Project.
Flanagan had to have permission from the Osage Tribe to carry out the project on their Reservation. The company also wanted to partner with them, creating job opportunities for members of the Osage Nation.
An agreement was reached allowing the pipeline to cross through the tribal reservation, and the Osage Nation would provide one-third of the employees on the initial 325-mile layout. The Osage Nation approached The Strategy Center, for a partnership in which The Strategy Center would be utilized to build the framework for training that would be needed for the future Osage Nation pipeline employees.
The Osage Nation, Enbridge Pipeline, and The Strategy Center joined forces to provide a myriad of training opportunities for pipeline-related jobs. Training for the positions began last summer and were coordinated by the Osage Nation and The Strategy Center, while being held at Tri County’s Pawhuska Business Development Center.
Participants were trained for a variety of positions including oilers, welding helpers, operators, CDL drivers, and general laborers. Training skillsets included CDL; CPR/First Aid/A.E.D.; CSA 2010; defensive driving; flagger safety; forklift safety; HAZMAT/DOT awareness; load securement; oiler training; operators training; OSHA 10; welding training; laborers training; and HAZWoper.
Candidates were able to attend one, or all, classes being offered at the Pawhuska Business Development Center. The training depicted a typical workday on a pipeline job site. The more training the candidates received, the greater their chances of being hired.
Trainees were provided information about the individual union programs, which included health benefits and retirement plans as well as their available scholarship programs.
The partnership between the Osage Nation, Enbridge Pipeline and The Strategy Center provided an opportunity for people to explore careers and obtain an advantageous skillset.
“We are extremely pleased to be a part of the exciting opportunities for economic development in Osage County that the collaboration between The Osage Nation, Enbridge Pipeline and The Strategy Center offers,” Strategy Center President Larry Thrash said. “It continues to be a source of pride to see all facets of this huge project working together for a singular purpose. Creating jobs and promoting economic growth is one of the core objectives of the Pawhuska Business Development Center and The Strategy Center.”
For more information regarding TCTC call, 918-333-2422 or visit online at www.tctc.org.